By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated newly elected FCT Area Council Chairmen, declaring an end to administrative laxity, incessant labour strikes, and financial unaccountability at the local government level, according to a press release signed by Rabi Musa Umar, Deputy Director, Press, Office of the Hon. Minister, FCTA, on Monday.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the FCDA Conference Hall in Abuja on Monday, June 15, 2026, Barr. Wike congratulated the new leaders on their victory at the FCT Area Council polls held in February, noting that their assumption of office ushers in a vital new era of grassroots leadership.
The Minister warned that celebration was over and real work must begin. “It will no longer be business as usual,” Barr. Wike cautioned. “Your people listened to you and they all came out to vote for you. Remember, you have a covenant with the people. You owe a duty to them to make them feel the impact of governance. It’s not to wear your traditional clothes; it is time to work for your people.”
In a major policy directive, Barr. Wike announced tight fiscal monitoring over local government funds. While promising never to tamper with allocations, he emphasized that the FCT Administration will closely monitor how every Naira is spent.
He reminded the chairmen of public service rules, stressing that no Executive Chairman has authority to directly sign checks. “Some of you here operate accounts. No Executive Chairman is allowed to sign checkbooks. Your own is to approve. That’s why we have civil servants who are signatories. Let no Chairman put himself in trouble by signing checks,” he declared.
Barr. Wike vowed to deal with financial misconduct. “This is not the time you tell your treasurer to meet you in a hotel, or ask ‘How much do we have? Remove this, keep this for me’. It will no longer happen. If I know, I will call EFCC, I will call ICPC to look into your matter,” he warned.
The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with perennial strikes by NULGE and primary school teachers that paralyze local education and governance. He noted that FCTA has repeatedly bailed out Area Councils to pay teachers’ salaries and rehabilitate schools, and tasked the new chairmen with finding permanent solutions.
Barr. Wike ordered chairmen to stop abandoning their domains to reside in AMAC or city hotels, linking physical presence to local security intelligence. “Stay where you were elected and perform your work. Stay at home so that you will know where kidnappers and bandits are operating from. You must stay at home and give information to security agencies and the FCTA,” he ordered.
To foster performance, the Minister announced rewards for councils that distinguish themselves in governance. Any Area Council adjudged most peaceful or highest in providing basic infrastructure will receive special rewards from the Administration. He also urged them to set 100-day and 1-year benchmarks and empower youth and women.
Earlier, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the ceremony marked renewed commitment to accountability, service, and inclusive growth at the grassroots. She congratulated the chairmen and deputies and urged them to justify public trust. The oath of office was administered by Justice Belgore of the FCT High Court.
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