Don’t be an ‘away’ chairman, Wike charges Kuje chair-elect

2026-03-05 - 14:27

By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the Kuje Area Council Chairman-elect, Samuel Musa, against abandoning his constituents once he assumes the levers of power and wealth. Speaking on Thursday during a “thank you” visit to Kuje in the aftermath of the February 21 Area Council elections, Wike emphasized that the true test of leadership begins only after the victory songs have faded. He noted that while the Chairman-elect currently appears humble, the office has a way of altering character. “You are humble now, but you have not entered office. It’s only when you enter office we will see the (real) humility. Power and money are two very serious factors that can change a man within 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”, he counseled. The minister warned that he would not hesitate to withdraw his support if the new leadership fails the people. “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. The visit was not without political fireworks, as Wike used the platform to openly criticize the outgoing chairman for what he described as a “disappearance” during the heat of the election. Wike alleged that despite holding over ten midnight meetings to align strategies, the outgoing chairman became unreachable a week before the polls. “The chairman told me we had meetings more than 10 times... but before I knew it, within a week of the election, the chairman disappeared. It is not good,” Wike revealed. The minister noted that this perceived betrayal actually strengthened his resolve to support the Chairman-elect. “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. Transitioning from politics to governance, the minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transforming the landscape of Kuje through massive infrastructural projects. He informed the traditional rulers and residents that the president specifically directed him to return to the area councils to show appreciation for their electoral support. Providing updates on key projects, Wike announced that the Garage Road has been completed and commissioned, while the dualization of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road is nearing a milestone. “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 have been ordered back to the Airport-Kuje road, with expectations for it to be ready by the president’s third anniversary. “Politics should be a covenant between those that are elected and those that 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 maintained.