From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned traditional rulers and stakeholders against repeating what he called their “mistake” in the 2023 elections, urging them to support experienced Senator Philip Aduda for re-election to secure a strong voice in the National Assembly.
He gave the warning when the Abuja FCT Stakeholders’ Assembly, led by the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Dr. Adamu Yunusa, visited him. He also received the prestigious traditional title of “Hasken Abuja,” meaning ‘The Light of Abuja’ in recognition of his infrastructure strides and support for traditional institutions.
The indigenes expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu’s administration and requested for development, but Wike quickly pushed towards electoral strategy, emphasising the need for Senate representation with clout.
“You made a mistake last time, you elected a Senator you can’t see. A Senator, who cannot go to traditional rulers to talk. A Senator, who cannot even organise the indigenous community to talk or to ask them what their needs are.
“Now you have come to me to ask for your needs. But if I have a Senator I can relate to, it makes it easier,” he stated. He endorsed Aduda, citing his prior role as Senate Minority Leader and 14 years of experience. “Aduda has been in the Senate. He was the Senate Minority Leader. Now, if he goes back to the Senate, he carries an experience and he’s ranking. So, when he’s talking, his colleagues will listen to him.
“It has nothing to do with religion. I’m just telling you the simple truth. There’s somebody that will go there and cannot say anything because they will ask you, who are you? From where?” he said.
He dismissed challengers, including a newly elected council chairman eyeing the Senate seat, saying, “I’ve seen one of your boys saying he wants to go to the Senate. He was just elected a council chairman yesterday. He has not been sworn in. He will be sworn-in in June. At the same time, he wants to go to the Senate. Who will he talk to?
“You cannot exchange somebody who has had experience in the National Assembly for over 14 years with somebody who has not completed a second term in office as local council chairman and then you say you are playing politics. If you play politics with that kind of thing, it will consume you and you cannot come back to me to say, oh, help us,” he stated.
He tied this to the broader gains under Tinubu, noting low support in 2023. “You didn’t give Mr. President up to six percent, yet ongoing projects like water provision in Karu, Orozo and Bwari areas, are set for inauguration by May 29.
“Now, that you know Mr President means well, do not make the same mistake again. When you reciprocate with an experienced man like Philip Aduda, you will see what will happen in FCT,” he added.
The traditional leaders, in turn, commended the minister and outlined their needs. Dr. Yunusa lauded Wike’s approval to upgrade traditional rulers’ status and build a new Ona Palace in Abaji. He, thereafter conferred the “Hasken Abuja” title on the minister. “This title is not given lightly. It is a recognition of your visionary leadership, your commitment to the development of the FCT and your role as a beacon of hope, progress and unity for all residents,” Yunusa said.
The traditional leaders’ requests included tractors for each of the FCT’s 17 chiefdoms to boost farming, an audience with President Tinubu, land certificates and third-class chief appointments per area council.
Wike pledged action, saying, “Regarding the request for tractors, I’ve heard you. I’ll tell the Mandate Secretary for Agriculture to make sure that all the chiefdoms have tractors. Concerning lands, I’m going to do that.”
He affirmed his commitment as an insider via the title, saying, “That I was not born here doesn’t mean that I’m not from here. I’m now from here. I must do everything to protect your interest,” he said.
Earlier, Dr. Aliyu from Kwali, former Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission commissioner, reechoed the call to elevate the chiefdoms, like Garki and Jiwa, FCT representation on the North Central Development Commission and more senatorial districts, area councils and federal constituencies given the territory’s over six million residents. “It’s only the FCT that has one senatorial district. And considering the population of the FCT, we think it deserves more than one,” he said.
Wike also advised the incoming council chairmen against strikes that make schoolchildren to be idle, stressing education’s primacy. “Our children cannot be sitting at home. Without education, there cannot be development.”
