Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised to expose what he described as the real reasons behind opposition to his Rainbow Coalition, declaring that Nigerians would be “shocked” when he reveals the details.
Wike, who spoke in Abuja on Monday, said he would address the controversy during a scheduled television broadcast, insisting that the coalition was not formed to destabilise the All Progressives Congress or undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister, who has repeatedly declared support for Tinubu’s re-election, said his immediate political concern was securing a second term for the President, dismissing allegations that the coalition was a vehicle for positioning himself for the 2031 presidency.
“My concern is how the President will be reelected for a second tenure,” Wike said, adding that members of the coalition had not asked anyone to withdraw support for Tinubu.
He challenged those criticising the coalition to explain why similar concerns were not raised over the G5 governors’ political alignment in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.
“This is an opportunity for all Nigerians to tune in and we will let Nigerians know what is really behind all these so-called cries about Rainbow Coalition,” he said.
Wike also rejected claims that he was already scheming for the 2031 presidential contest, arguing that political calculations several years ahead could not be guaranteed.
“People take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive,” he said, stressing that even Tinubu would have a say in determining his successor.
The minister further recalled his unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2022, saying his experience in the contest had given him considerable knowledge of the country’s political terrain.
The political controversy came against the backdrop of Wike’s inspection of major road and bridge projects in Abuja, where he announced that several ongoing projects were being targeted for completion between December 2026 and January 2027.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the Inner Southern Expressway, Southern Parkway and the road linking Nile University to Ring Road 3, saying contractors had renewed their commitments to meeting the deadlines.
According to Wike, the contractor handling the Inner Southern Expressway, CGC Nigeria Limited, has committed to handing over the project by December, while CCECC Nigeria Limited is expected to complete the Nile University-Ring Road 3 project by the first week of January.
At the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa, he said construction of a second bridge had been affected by heavy rainfall but expressed confidence that work would accelerate once the weather improves.
The minister said the projects were part of the infrastructure commitments of the Tinubu administration to Abuja residents and expressed relief that contractors were now maintaining the expected pace.
“I want to sincerely commend CCECC. The last time I came here I was really worried. But the management has also committed themselves that latest by the first week of January, they will have handed over the project,” Wike said.
He added that the contractors had previously made similar commitments and that he was confident they would deliver.
The FCT Minister’s latest infrastructure deadlines place the major projects on a tight completion schedule ahead of the next general elections, with the administration relying on the contractors’ assurances to meet the targets.
