WIKE PAYS THANK-YOU VISIT TO BWARI AREA COUNCIL

FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike (m) delivering his thank you message to the residents of Bwari Area Council at mini stadium in Bwari town on Tuesday

FCTA PRESS RELEASE

WIKE PAYS THANK-YOU VISIT TO BWARI AREA COUNCIL

…PLEDGES MORE PROJECTS AS REWARD FOR LOYALTY TO PRESIDENT TINUBU’S ADMINISTRATION

The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to rewarding political loyalty with accelerated infrastructure development across the FCT.

Barr. Wike made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 when he conducted a high-profile "thank you" visit to the Bwari Area Council, to express gratitude to the people for supporting the candidate of the APC during the just concluded FCT Area Council elections. 

Speaking during the visit, the Minister also expressed the President’s personal gratitude to the people of Bwari for their support during the recent elections, noting that their commitment to the administration’s candidates has not gone unnoticed.

In the words of the Minister, “On behalf of Mr. President, let me thank you for fulfilling the promise you made to Mr. President that all those who are supporting the President who contested this election, you will make them to win. So, Mr. President said I should tell you thank you. He is not going to take this for granted. He will also fulfill his own part and that will be done through me by giving you more projects”.

The Minister reminded the residents, especially traditional rulers and youth leaders of earlier promises by the administration, noting that the promised projects were already being delivered and emphasized that under the "Renewed Hope" agenda, the government’s relationship with the people is based on a mutual agreement: "When you do your own part, we will do our own part”, he said, and pledged that the ongoing Bwari-Kubwa road project will be completed within the year.

Furthermore, Barr. Wike also directed the Chairman to submit a list of new priority projects for the Bwari people, as mandated by the President.

He said, “Mr. President has directed me to tell the Chairman to let us know what we are going to do for the people of Bwari”.

Highlighting the synergy between the FCTA and the local government, the Minister also pledged to work closely with the Chairman-elect, to ensure a youth-centric development.

The Minister however cautioned the residents against those he described as fake leaders who engage in performative politics, noting that their show of concern for the people was not genuine.

He said, “We have to be careful; there are those now whose duty, in order to deceive themselves, now go out to buy corn on the road to chew corn. They buy groundnut on the road to chew groundnut to pretend that they identify with the people. What is important is when they were in office, did they buy corn or groundnut to chew? When they were governor, did they go to IDP camp for birthdays? Nobody can deceive us again.  I don’t want you to waste time again to listen to corn chewers and ground chewers on the road. They are fake people”.

Barr. Wike also spoke on the current representation of the FCT in the Senate, suggesting a disconnect between the incumbent and the needs of the people. He hinted at a future unveiling of a candidate who understands the people, signaling a strategic shift in the FCT’s political landscape ahead of future polls.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya, thanked the FCT Minister for choosing to identify so closely with the local community, noting that the provision of vital infrastructure has already begun to reshape the landscape. He pledged that the people of Bwari will remain steadfast in their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Also speaking, the Etsu Bwari, His Royal Highness, Ibrahim Yaro, expressed gratitude for the Minister’s visible developmental strides within the Council and assured that the traditional institution stands as a pillar of support for the ongoing urban renewals.

On his part, the Chairman-elect, Joshua Ishaku, characterized the Minister as a humble leader whose impact transcends simple politics. He lauded the Minister’s role in actualizing President Tinubu’s vision through the rapid delivery of critical infrastructure across the FCT and pledged the incoming administration’s commitment to the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.

MORE PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS

R-L) FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike shakes hands with the newly elected Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon Joshua Ishaku while the incumbent, Hon John Gabaya looks on during the Minister's thank you visit to residents of Bwari Area Council on Tuesday

A cross section of Bwari residents at the thank you visit by the FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike to Bwari Area Council on Tuesday

RABI MUSA UMAR

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PRESS

(OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER)

03/03/2026

FCTA/ODP/PR/802