Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged residents of the territory to approach the 2027 general elections as an opportunity to choose leaders capable of sustaining and expanding the development projects currently underway across Abuja.

Wike made the call in his Independence Day message to residents on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary.

According to the minister, the upcoming election would provide residents with an opportunity to determine the direction of development in the Federal Capital Territory by choosing leaders with the vision and capacity to build on existing projects.

He said the FCT Administration had continued to invest in critical sectors, including road infrastructure, public transportation, healthcare and education, as part of efforts to improve living conditions and make Abuja a more functional capital.

Wike said road construction and rehabilitation had been extended beyond the city centre to communities across the territory, with some projects incorporating drainage systems and solar-powered streetlights.

He explained that extending infrastructure to communities outside the central districts was also intended to improve connectivity and address security concerns in areas farther away from the city centre.

The minister also highlighted the construction of an ultramodern bus terminal in the Abuja Municipal Area Council and said similar facilities were planned for Kuje, Bwari and Gwagwalada.

In the healthcare and education sectors, Wike said the administration was working to improve facilities across the six area councils through the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres and schools.

He stressed the importance of both sectors to the long-term development of the territory, noting that healthy and educated residents were essential to sustainable growth.

On security, the minister said the FCT Administration was working alongside security agencies to protect lives and property, adding that surveillance had been strengthened while community-based policing and modern technology were being deployed to tackle criminal activities.

Wike also appealed to residents to support development efforts by obeying the law, protecting public infrastructure and maintaining cleanliness across the capital.

He called for peaceful coexistence among residents from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, describing Abuja as a symbol of Nigeria's unity because of its diverse population.

The minister said the administration's development programme was not limited to the city centre, stressing that satellite towns and rural communities would also continue to receive attention.

He maintained that the broader objective was to build a capital city where public services could effectively meet the needs of residents across the territory.

Wike also expressed optimism about Nigeria's future and commended the federal government's reform programme under President Bola Tinubu.

He said the FCT Administration would continue to align its activities with the federal government's Renewed Hope agenda while pursuing projects aimed at extending development to communities throughout the territory.

The minister's comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify. Wike has separately announced his support for President Tinubu's re-election bid and said he intends to lead campaign efforts for the president in the FCT and Rivers State.

At the same time, Wike's Independence Day message focused on the broader issue of continuity in development, urging FCT residents to consider the capacity of prospective leaders to sustain ongoing projects when making their choices in the 2027 elections.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has continued to highlight infrastructure expansion, including projects connecting satellite communities to Abuja's city centre, as part of its development programme.