2027 Ahead: Tinubu Woos Wike, Says APC Will “Sing Together”
President Bola Tinubu has extended an open invitation to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), praising his work and teasing a possible future alliance. The offer came during the inauguration of key road projects in Abuja on Wednesday, where the President commended Wike’s leadership and hinted at deeper political collaboration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Arterial Road N16 to N20 in Katampe District, Tinubu lauded Wike’s performance, saying, “We have somebody in Nyesom Wike. He’s not a member of our party, not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the progressives, we will welcome him.”
He added humorously, “We will join him in singing, ‘as e dey pain them, e dey sweet us’,” referencing the opposition’s discomfort with Wike’s alignment with Tinubu’s administration.
In his remarks, Wike dismissed any hopes of an opposition coalition defeating Tinubu in 2027. “Mr President, your good work has killed the coalition. It is bound to fail, and it has failed,” he declared. He added that the discomfort of political opponents gave him renewed motivation: “My duty now is to continue to give them high blood pressure.”
The event was part of a 17-day celebration marking the second anniversary of Tinubu’s administration. The President also inaugurated the renovated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on Tuesday.
During the road project inauguration, Tinubu emphasized his administration’s focus on infrastructure as a foundation for national growth. “Infrastructure is not a luxury. It is a necessity… the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity,” he said.
He reaffirmed investments in roads, rail, power, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu praised the peaceful relocation and compensation of communities affected by the Katampe road project, noting that no communities were forcibly displaced.
“You collaborated with the FCT Minister and were relocated respectfully… we want development, but how well we organise and execute it depends on us,” the President stated, addressing traditional rulers from the area.
Wike assured the President that every FCT contract awarded under his administration would be completed by the third anniversary. “Contractors are now competing to deliver without even receiving mobilisation fees,” he said, attributing the momentum to Tinubu’s leadership and commitment to infrastructure.
Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also praised Tinubu’s support and Wike’s “visionary leadership for turning Abuja around.”
Acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Richard Dauda, described the newly inaugurated road as a 3.7-kilometre, six-lane dual carriageway connecting the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way). The project includes two interchanges and runs through the Katampe District.