President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the purchase of brand-new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for traditional rulers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed.
Wike made the announcement on Saturday, October 31, during the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Rally and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.
According to the minister, the vehicles are intended for traditional rulers whose positions were recently upgraded following the elevation of traditional institutions in the FCT.
He said the President approved the gesture in recognition of the role traditional rulers play in preserving cultural heritage, maintaining peace and promoting stability in their communities.
Wike disclosed that the vehicles would be delivered before December, adding that the Tinubu administration had also approved the upgrading of traditional stools in the FCT after the exercise had remained stalled for 27 years.
“Mr President has said that you cannot just answer royal fathers by mouth. You cannot just answer royal fathers by entering Keke Napep. You cannot answer royal fathers by entering Okada. All of you, by the grace of God, before December, you will go with your SUV cars,” Wike said.
The minister also announced that Tinubu had approved four buses for youths in the FCT to support their activities and engagement across the six area councils.
The announcement was made at a gathering attended by traditional rulers, area council chairmen, community leaders, youth and women groups, as well as political party representatives.