FCT MINISTER PLEDGES COMPLETION OF FCT UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PROMISES IMPROVED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO ABAJI AREA COUNCIL
By: Rabi Musa Umar
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has assured residents of the completion and imminent take-off of the Abuja University of Science and Technology, Abaji. The Minister also directed immediate actions towards improving electricity supply to Abaji Area Council to stimulate the local economy and alleviate the long-standing energy hardships faced by the residents.
The Minister made these commitments during a massive Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Abaji Area Council on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The event brought together key political, traditional, and community stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; members of the FCT Traditional Council of Chiefs; current and former Area Council Chairmen of Abaji and representatives of both APC and PDP.
Addressing the crowd, the FCT Minister emphasized that governance must be centered on the tangible happiness and socio-economic wellbeing of the populace rather than desk-bound assumptions. He stated that his administration operates on an active feedback mechanism, which informed the rapid delivery of the security and educational infrastructures requested by the Abaji community in the first stakeholders meeting when he assumed duty as Minister.
Reflecting on the milestone activation of the apex science and technology institution located within the council, the FCT Minister expressed profound gratitude that the long-awaited project would finally open its doors to students under his ministerial tenure.
“I also thank God Almighty that it is in my tenure that the University of Science and Technology, Abuja will be opened”.
Turning his attention to the critical challenge of power supply, which has severely impacted local artisans, small-scale business owners, and the broader economic landscape of the council, the Minister refused to tolerate further delays. He immediately directed his Chief of Staff, Hon Chidi Amadi, to interface with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to determine the full financial implications required to restore stable electricity to the area.
He stressed that the economic survival of everyday citizens, such as hairdressers, barbers, and artisans, remains paramount, noting that his administration would not stand by while the local economy deteriorated due to darkness.
“And we cannot fold our hands and see you suffer. So, that suffering has therefore ended today”, Wike declared.
The FCT Minister drew sharp contrasts between the present administration’s rapid execution of developmental projects and the unfilled promises of past political actors who held high national offices but failed to deliver critical development for the FCT. He cited the recent establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the creation of specialized secretariats for women and youths as structural victories achieved only under the current dispensation.
According to the Minister, true governance transcends partisan, religious, or ethnic sentiments being strictly measured by verifiable impacts that elevate the living standards of the citizens.
Reaffirming his commitment to participatory governance, the Minister stated that his serial visits across the six FCT Area Councils have given him deep insight into the raw realities, expectations, and priorities of the grassroots. He noted that these direct engagements provided the precise data he conveys directly to the President to guide federal interventions.
The Minister explained that leadership demands physical presence and active listening, rather than isolated administrative decision-making from the comfort of institutional offices.
“For me, even if I’ve come here 10 times, 20 times, I enjoy it because I now know the feelings of the people. I now know what they want so that I’ll be able to carry it and tell the president this is what the people of Abaji want”.
Ahead of the upcoming general elections, the FCT Minister lauded the political maturity demonstrated by the cross-party collaboration between the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the territory, the Rainbow Coalition. He reminded politicians and residents alike that political parties are mere vehicles for public service, adding that once elections are concluded, the ultimate focus must be toward development and good governance.
He further energized the grassroots structures by challenging local council councilors and leaders to deliver absolute electoral majorities across their respective wards, promising robust rewards and funding support for outstanding performance, reiterating his position on the 10million naira reward to each councilor that delivers their ward.
“I said, I challenge you go and vote for Tinubu in your ward. If you win your ward, I will give you 10 million. They say, “I’m buying vote”. Which vote did I buy? My son said he is writing exams and I said, okay, make first class and come and I will give you one Range Rover, did I do exam malpractice? Nigeria is going to play a match. Nigeria wants to play Senegal. And I said Nigeria, if you score one goal, $50,000. If you win, $300,000. Just to motivate them to play well and win. Did I go to rig the match? I just want to motivate my people”, Wike reiterated.
Barrister Wike announced that the FCT Campaign Council will be officially inaugurated on Monday, November 16, to coordinate issue-based campaigns across the territory. He urged the residents of Abaji to maintain their stance on infrastructural accountability, advising them to demand immediate development from anyone seeking their mandate.
The Minister maintained that the era of political deceit was over, as his office remains fully prepared and structurally equipped to sustain the ongoing developmental revolution across all six area councils of the FCT.
In his welcome address Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon Abubakar Umar Abdullahi appreciated the Minister for his support which led to his victory at the polls in February. He reassured the Minister of the support of Abaji Area Council for the reelection of President Tinubu, while reminding the Minister to assist with the full inauguration of the FCT University of Science and Technology during his tenure, in addition to the restoration of electricity in the council.
“By the special grace of God, come 16th January 2027, we are going to collectively elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our senatorial candidate, distinguished Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, and our House of Representatives candidate, Honourable Danladi Chiya”, he added.
Meanwhile, former Chairman, Abaji Area Council, Alh Hassan Usman Sokodabo, expressed his appreciation to the Minister for creating the FCT Civil Service, and for massively upgrading facilities at the proposed FCT University of Science and Technology to world class levels. He assured the Minister that the people of Abaji will go wherever the Minister urged them to go, saying, “our votes are for you”.
The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the Traditional Council of the FCT, HRM, Alh. Dr. Adamu Baba Yunusa, appreciated the Minister for elevating the traditional rulers in the Territory and reiterated his support towards mobilizing his subjects for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in the January polls.
Representative of Abaji women, Hajia Asiya Suleiman assured the Minister that they had organised themselves into political structures for the purpose of the election and requested for more inclusiveness for women in the FCT in the areas of appointments, skill acquisition and participation in programmes.
Speaking for the youths, Comrade Abdulkadir Lukman, said that the Minister’s scorecard had already done the campaign for the President and other candidates contesting in the forthcoming general elections.
FCT APC Chairman, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, pledged his allegiance to the Minister, declaring, “We are ready to go with you day, night, rain, and sunshine. Your Excellency, I want to sincerely thank you on behalf of my party APC in FCT for what you have done for us and with what you have started. I want to tell the APC members and PDP that in FCT, the honorable minister has created a relationship among us, among brothers that only saw from afar before now”.
On his part, the FCT PDP Chairman thanked the Minister for creating a peaceful atmosphere politically in the territory. “What you have created is a very peaceful coexistence among the people of FCT. It used to be a bloody time once elections come, especially in Abaji Area Council. But today, I can see APC chairman of Abaji Area Council, PDP chairman of Abaji Area Council having interactive sessions among themselves”, he said
