Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged state governments across Nigeria to adopt the Rainbow Coalition model practised in the FCT, saying it has fostered political cooperation, peace and stability.
Wike made the call yesterday during an interactive engagement with political leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths in Kuje Area Council, where he advocated collaboration across party lines to reduce political tension and promote development.
He said the coalition had brought members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) together to pursue common interests, despite their political differences.
“If Nigerian politics can come to this level, we will not be hearing about fighting; we will not be seeing ourselves killing each other,” Wike said.
The minister noted that the model was also being implemented in Rivers State, urging political leaders elsewhere to embrace the approach, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He stressed that political competition should not degenerate into violence, adding that elected representatives must remain accessible and accountable to their constituents.
The FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, commended the cooperation between the APC and PDP in the territory, while the PDP chairman in the FCT, Ismael Dogora, attributed the peaceful conduct of political activities to unity among stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Wike has dismissed as fake a social media report claiming that he endorsed the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Senator Ishaku Abbo.
In a clarification issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister said he had no relationship with the LP or any of its candidates in Adamawa State.
The disputed social media post had attributed comments to Wike urging Adamawa voters to make informed decisions at the polls and describing Abbo as the best candidate to lead the state.
Wike denied making the statement, insisting that he had neither endorsed Abbo nor any other LP candidate in the state.
He urged residents to disregard the report, describing it as false and misleading.
The minister added that if he decided to support any political candidate, he would announce his position personally rather than through unverified social media reports.