The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has advised the Chairman-elect of Kuje Area Council, Danjuma Shekwolo, to remain accessible to residents and avoid distancing himself from the people after assuming office.
Naijaonpoint reports that Wike gave the advice on Thursday during a “thank you” visit to Kuje following the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the real test of leadership begins after electoral victory, when power and access to public resources often influence the conduct of public officials.
The minister warned that humility displayed during campaigns is often tested once political office and financial influence 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,” Wike said.
He urged the chairman-elect to maintain a strong connection with the people who voted him into office.
“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 added.
Recall that in the February 21 Area Council elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victories in five of the six chairmanship seats across the area councils of the FCT.
The party won in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje, while the Peoples Democratic Party clinched the chairmanship position in Gwagwalada.
In his words on Thursday, Wike also warned that the continued support of his office would depend on the chairman-elect’s closeness to the grassroots.
According to him, leaders who become disconnected 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 said.
The minister also criticised the outgoing council chairman, accusing him of withdrawing support for the chairman-elect shortly before the election.
He explained that several strategic meetings had been held ahead of the polls, but the chairman allegedly became unavailable at a critical moment.
Wike said the development compelled him to throw stronger political support behind Shekwolo, whom he described as 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 the political discussions, Wike reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development across the FCT, particularly in Kuje.
He said Bola Tinubu had directed him to convey appreciation to residents of the area councils for their support during the elections.
According to the minister, some major road projects in the area are already progressing.
He disclosed that the Garage Road project 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.
The minister also revealed that Arab Contractors had been directed to resume work on the Airport-Kuje road, expressing optimism that the project would be completed before the third anniversary of the current administration.
Wike emphasised that public office holders must view politics as a covenant with the people who elected them.
“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,” the FCT Minister said.