Wike Announces Major Upgrade for Abuja Traditional Rulers Following Election Support
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has officially approved a significant upgrade for traditional rulers across Abuja. This decision was announced as a direct acknowledgment of their substantial support for President Bola Tinubu and candidates from the All Progressives Congress during the recent area council elections.
Recognition for Electoral Backing
Speaking at a gathering in Abaji on Tuesday, Minister Wike expressed his gratitude to residents and traditional leaders for their overwhelming electoral support. He revealed that all second-class chiefs within the FCT will now be elevated to first-class status, while third-class chiefs will be promoted to second-class positions within the FCT Council of Chiefs framework.
"We sat down with you and requested that you support Tinubu and that the support should begin with the area council elections," Wike stated during his address. "The election was held on February 21, and you fulfilled your promise. You came out in your numbers and gave Tinubu 133 out of the 135 polling units in the area council. What else can we say but thank you? Now that you have done your own, we will do our own too."
The minister emphasized that this upgrade serves as both a reward and recognition of the crucial role traditional institutions continue to play in grassroots political mobilization across Nigeria.
Traditional Leaders' Requests and Practical Considerations
The initiative for this upgrade originated from the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Adamu Yunusa. He had previously commended Wike for elevating the Etsu of Kwali, Luka Nizassan III, to first-class chief status—an achievement many traditional leaders had long sought under previous administrations.
Yunusa praised the minister's decision, stating it demonstrated a genuine understanding of traditional institutions' importance in Nigerian society. However, he presented additional requests during the meeting:
- A broader restructuring to properly integrate more traditional leaders into the FCT Council of Chiefs
- Construction of a new palace befitting the chairman of the council of chiefs that reflects FCT culture and history
- Establishment of a liaison office in Abuja's city center to facilitate better communication between traditional rulers and government authorities
In response to the palace request, Wike directed Abaji Area Council chairman Abubakar Abdullahi to prepare appropriate designs for consideration.
Political Context and Future Expectations
This development occurs within a broader political context where traditional rulers maintain significant influence over community voting patterns. The area council elections on February 21 saw remarkable support for APC candidates, with Tinubu reportedly winning 133 out of 135 polling units in the Abaji area council alone.
"By the power conferred in me, I hereby upgrade all second-class traditional rulers in FCT to first class and third class to second class because you voted APC and supported Tinubu," Wike declared during the announcement.
The minister concluded his remarks with a forward-looking statement: "All I want from you is to continue to support Mr. President, and you will see many good things." This suggests that further rewards and recognition may follow sustained political support from traditional institutions and their communities.
This strategic move by the FCT administration highlights the continuing interdependence between Nigeria's political leadership and traditional authority structures, particularly in matters of electoral mobilization and grassroots governance.
