Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike revealed during a media chat on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, how he directly contacted Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke following the recent governorship election to ensure the governor maintained his commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu's expected 2027 re-election bid.
Political Strategy and Support for President Tinubu
Wike explained that his primary focus during the Osun election cycle was ensuring that Governor Adeleke—who had moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party to secure his ticket—remained aligned with President Tinubu.
Key details of Wike's political disclosures include:
* Direct Engagement: Wike stated that while outside the country during the election, he called Adeleke directly to confirm whether he would honor an earlier promise to support President Tinubu.
* Public Reaffirmation: Wike advised Adeleke upon his victory to publicly commend President Tinubu for facilitating a free and fair election and to present his Certificate of Return directly to the President.
* Preempting Political Rivals: The minister noted that the strategy was aimed at neutralizing opposition maneuvers, claiming that Adeleke's public declaration of support effectively caused parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to withdraw their political alignment efforts.
* Distinction Between Federal and Party Conflicts: Wike clarified that while he would have intervened if the Federal Government were in a direct conflict with Adeleke, he refrained from active campaigning in the state because he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
FCT Infrastructure Delivery and Project Milestones
Addressing his mandate as FCT Minister, Wike presented a progress report on infrastructure development across Abuja, asserting that the current administration's record is unprecedented in the territory's history.
* Capital Projects Under Tinubu Administration: Out of 107 capital projects initiated under President Tinubu, 76 have been fully completed, with 10 additional projects slated for commissioning ahead of upcoming elections, and the remainder scheduled for completion before the end of the President's term.
* Inherited Projects Completed: The FCT Administration completed 23 of 25 infrastructure projects inherited from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the remaining two actively ongoing.
* Legacy Projects Resolved: Wike confirmed the completion of six out of eight long-standing projects inherited from the past administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, with work continuing on the remaining two.
Wike reaffirmed that all infrastructure projects launched under the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT will be fully completed and commissioned before the end of the administration's tenure.
