Indigenous youths of the Federal Capital Territory have vowed to repay President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with their votes in 2027, citing the unprecedented infrastructure development and attention to original inhabitants under his administration through the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
While declaring their full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election,they pledged to mobilise votes for his re-election.
Under the aegis of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organisation, AOIYEO, the youths said their decision was in solidarity with the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and in appreciation of the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure interventions in the territory.
The Executive Director of AOIYEO and Supreme Leader of FCT Youths, Commandant Isaac David, made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday, while reacting to Wike’s recent vow to resign as FCT Minister if President Tinubu fails to win in the FCT and Rivers State in 2027.
Wike had on Wednesday, while addressing leaders and members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association, said his political relevance and continued stay in office would be determined by his ability to deliver both territories for the President.
Responding, David said Wike’s bold stance had further strengthened the resolve of indigenous youths to back the administration.
“We will back the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, that Tinubu will not lose the election in the FCT because posterity will not forgive us for the good things he has done to the indigenous people of the FCT through the Honourable Minister,” David said.
He said ongoing road, school and community projects across the six Area Councils had given original inhabitants renewed hope after years of neglect, and vowed that the gesture would be reciprocated at the ballot.
“So we vow to deliver Tinubu because he has done enough for us, and we have the assurance that when he comes back for a second tenure, our marginalisation will be totally crushed,” he added.
David linked the group’s political position to the longstanding agitation of FCT natives for greater political inclusion, including the demand for elected executive and legislative structures.
He expressed optimism that before the end of President Tinubu’s constitutionally allowed eight-year tenure, the FCT would have its own governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
“We have proven our full political administrative structure that we have been yearning for, and State House of Assembly and governorship election will no longer be a thing of the past. We are confident that before the eight years of Mr Tinubu elapse, election will be held for governor of the FCT,” he said.
He stressed that indigenous people and other residents have a stake in the transformation of the capital and would use their votes to affirm the administration’s performance.
“So, for the things that he has done to the FCT, the indigenous people and the residents, we have vowed to pay him back with our votes,” David stated.
Wike has in recent weeks intensified political mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that his support for the President does not stop the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from contesting other offices.