By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the newly inaugurated chairmen of the six Area Councils, cautioning them against misconduct, financial recklessness, and actions capable of undermining public trust.
Speaking on Monday during the inauguration ceremony of the council chairmen in Abuja, Wike declared that the era of administrative laxity, incessant labour strikes, and financial unaccountability at the grassroots level had come to an end.
Congratulating the chairmen on their victory in the February Area Council elections, the minister said their assumption of office marked the beginning of a new phase of grassroots governance in the FCT.
He reminded the council leaders that the period of celebration was over and that the real task of governance had begun.
“It will no longer be business as usual,” Wike said. “Your people listened to you and came out to vote for you. Remember, you have a covenant with the people. The people have performed their civic obligation and you owe them a duty to make them feel the impact of governance. It is not a time to wear traditional attire and enjoy titles; it is time to work for your people.”
Wike also announced stricter oversight of Area Council finances, assuring the chairmen that while the FCT Administration would not interfere with statutory allocations, it would closely monitor how public funds are utilized.
He specifically warned against the illegal practice of council chairmen directly signing cheques or authorizing withdrawals from council accounts.
“Some of you operate council accounts. No Executive Chairman is allowed to sign cheque books. Your responsibility is approval. Civil servants are designated signatories to Area Council accounts.
“Let no chairman put himself in trouble by signing cheques for the withdrawal of money. You do not have that authority,” he said.
Wike further cautioned against diverting public funds for personal use and threatened to involve anti-corruption agencies where necessary.
“This is not the time to summon your treasurer to a hotel and ask how much money is available for personal use. If I become aware of such practices, I will invite the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate,” he warned.
The minister expressed concern over recurring strikes by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and primary school teachers, which he noted had repeatedly disrupted governance and education across the councils.
According to him, the FCT Administration had often intervened to settle salary arrears and support the rehabilitation of schools, urging the new chairmen to develop lasting solutions to labour disputes.
Wike also directed the chairmen to reside within their respective council areas rather than operating from hotels or residences in the city centre.
He said their presence within their communities was essential for effective governance and intelligence gathering on security threats.
“Stay where you were elected and perform your duties. Do not ask your people to come and meet you in the city. You were elected by people in your communities. Remain there so you can understand their challenges and identify security threats such as kidnappers and bandits,” he said.
To encourage performance and accountability, the minister announced plans to reward Area Councils that distinguish themselves in governance, peace-building, and infrastructure development.
He challenged the chairmen to set measurable targets for their first 100 days and first year in office, while also prioritising youth and women empowerment programmes and maintaining regular engagement with stakeholders.
Drawing from his own political journey from local government chairman to governor and minister, Wike urged the council leaders to view grassroots governance as an opportunity to build a lasting legacy through service and performance.
Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, described the inauguration as a renewed commitment to accountability, service delivery, and inclusive development at the grassroots level.
She congratulated the newly elected chairmen and their deputies and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate through transparent, people-centred leadership.
“May your tenure be defined by unity, innovation and sustainable development,” Mahmoud said.
