Abuja: The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has announced that the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers will strategically focus on areas where it holds electoral strength in the upcoming 2027 general elections. Wike made this statement during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, as the government prepares to mark the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Wike emphasized that the coalition, comprising political actors from various parties, will evaluate current political realities before making any decisions. “Our collective interest is the essence of the coalition in Rivers. We’ll look at where we have strength, compare notes and vote accordingly,” Wike stated.
Wike also addressed rumors linking him to the screening of aspirants in Rivers by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), clarifying that he has no involvement in the process. He affirmed that he would not comment on issues outside his jurisdiction, stating, “I’m not a member of the APC, so I don’t know what is happening in their screening. Even if they publish the results, why would I comment?”
The Minister also responded to concerns about alleged harassment by officials of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) during tax enforcement operations. He noted that no formal complaint had been filed with the FCT Administration against AMAC officials, while acknowledging the persistent challenge of tax compliance among residents. “There must be a civilised way of collecting taxes, but knowing our taxpayers, people don’t like to pay tax. When tax collectors come, they find one excuse or the other,” Wike explained.