Don’t be an away chairman, Wike warns Kuje chairman-elect

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged the Chairman-elect of Kuje Area Council, Danjuma Shekwolo, to remain close to the people and avoid distancing himself from constituents after assuming office.

Wike gave the advice on Thursday during a “thank you” visit to Kuje following the February 21 Area Council elections, stressing that the real challenge of leadership begins after electoral victory.

APC won five of the six chairmanship seats across the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory in the February 21 elections.

The party secured victories in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje, while the Peoples Democratic Party won the chairmanship seat in Gwagwalada.

He noted that humility often gives way once political office and access to resources come into play.

“You are humble now, but you have not entered office. It’s only when you enter the office that we will see the (real) humility. Power and money are two very serious factors that can change a man in a second.

“Don’t be a chairman that is an ‘away’ chairman; be a chairman that is a ‘home’ chairman. Don’t run away from listening to your people,” Wike said.

The minister also warned that continued support from his office would depend on the chairman-elect’s closeness to the people. According to him, leaders who disconnect from their communities risk losing political backing.

“Working with me, if you are an ‘away’ chairman, you will be in trouble because I will let your people know that we made a mistake,” he added.

Wike also took a swipe at the outgoing council chairman, accusing him of withdrawing support at a critical moment before the election.

He said several strategy meetings were held in preparation for the polls, but the chairman allegedly became unavailable shortly before the vote.

According to the minister, the development prompted him to throw stronger support behind the chairman-elect, whom he described as having been left politically isolated during the campaign.

“Probably if the outgoing chairman had given the chairman-elect the support which we agreed, maybe I would not have taken this local government so close as I want to do now. I saw him as an orphan who had lost all hope,” he said.

Beyond politics, Wike reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development in Kuje, saying President Bola Tinubu had directed him to appreciate residents of the area councils for their support during the elections.

He said some key projects in the area were already making progress, noting that the Garage Road had been completed and commissioned, while construction work on the Kuje–Gwagwalada road was advancing steadily.

“That Kuje-Gwagwalada road, which is about 16-17 kilometres, is going on very well. We are praying to Almighty Allah that by June this year, Mr President will also come here and inaugurate that road,” Wike stated.

He also disclosed that Arab Contractors had been directed to resume work on the Airport–Kuje road, with the expectation that the project would be ready before the third anniversary of the current administration.

Wike stressed that elected officials must treat politics as a pact with the people who voted them into office.

“Politics should be a covenant between those who are elected and those who elected them. It is not where our people will use us and tell us stories and at the end of the day you no longer see them,” he said.