Etsu of Kwali, His Royal Highness Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, has pledged massive support from traditional rulers and residents of Kwali Area Council and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing his administration’s achievements in the territory.
The monarch said the people were prepared to reciprocate the President’s interventions in infrastructure, traditional institutions, civil service reforms and increased revenue allocation to the FCT Area Councils.
Nizassan made the pledge on Monday while speaking on behalf of the Kwali Area Council of Chiefs at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali, where he assured FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of the commitment of traditional rulers and their communities to Tinubu’s re-election.
Addressing the gathering, he said the four greater chiefs, 15 district heads and representatives of communities across Kwali had been mobilised in support of the political movement.
The monarch noted that despite Kwali’s contribution to Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, the President had rewarded the community with unprecedented opportunities and recognition.
He cited the appointment of one of their own, Hon. Disalo, to a top national board, describing it as a significant step towards addressing the longstanding marginalisation of FCT indigenes.
Nizassan also commended Wike for facilitating the establishment of a full-fledged civil service in the FCT, saying the reform had created opportunities for indigenous people to rise to senior positions.
He referenced the appointment of Florence Okonkwo as Permanent Secretary in the Transportation Secretariat and an indigene of Kwali as Acting Director of Works as evidence of the benefits of the reforms.
On revenue, the traditional ruler praised the Tinubu administration’s tax reforms, which he said had helped increase the FCT’s internally generated revenue from about N9 billion to over N40 billion.
According to him, the improved revenue profile had strengthened the financial capacity of Area Councils, enabling them to settle outstanding salary obligations, construct roads and execute development projects.
He listed the Dr Ladi Kwali Road, Sukuku-Yangoji Road, A2-Pai, Pai-Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada-Dafa and Dafa-Yangoji roads among infrastructure projects that had improved connectivity across the area.
He added that the completion of ongoing road projects would link all 10 political wards in Kwali Area Council to the central ward and the FCT city.
“Within three years, the President has done what previous administrations could not achieve for us. We want to thank Mr President,” he said.
The monarch also praised Tinubu and Wike for upgrading traditional rulers in the FCT, noting that his elevation to first-class status had restored the dignity of traditional institutions and strengthened their recognition at the national level.
He said the elevation had enabled FCT traditional rulers to participate in national committees and contribute to discussions on the legal and institutional frameworks governing traditional institutions in Nigeria.
Nizassan further defended Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as courageous decisions taken in the interest of national recovery and long-term development.
He acknowledged that the policies had initially attracted criticism but maintained that the President had demonstrated the political will to take difficult decisions to reposition the country.
Describing politics as a game of demand and supply, the monarch said residents had made several demands during town hall meetings, project commissioning ceremonies and groundbreaking events, many of which the administration had addressed.
He said the time had come for the people to reciprocate the government’s efforts through electoral support.
“Politics is a game of demand and supply. It was in this town hall that we made demands. At commissioning grounds and groundbreaking events, we made demands, and those demands have been met. It is our turn to supply.
“Be reassured that we are making a commitment this afternoon that, by the grace of God, we are behind the President, and we will throw our weight behind him like we have never done for any president. He has done his part, and it is our turn to do our part,” he declared.
Nizassan concluded by commending Tinubu and Wike for bringing traditional rulers and communities across the FCT together under a common platform, saying the initiative had promoted unity, inclusion and stronger engagement among residents.