*_Commentary_*
*AUA'S GIANT STRIDES IN ABAJI AND THE CLAMOUR FOR CONTINUITY*
*By Solomon Kpamor*
The Executive Chairman, Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, fondly called AUA by his fans and allies, is a distinct personality, astute administrator and political enigma. He has fought his way to reckoning when many of his peers and contemporaries are still searching for direction in life, largely due to the country's youth-hostile public space. Not only has he refused to join the bandwagon of other youngsters bearing placards of lamentation, he has successfully rebelled against all barriers and mounted the saddle as Abaji area council helmsman.
The journey embarked upon by AUA, to take Abaji area council to enviable pedestal began when he first clinched the the keenly contested APC chairmanship ticket. He went on to win the council poll on February 12th, 2022 despite intraparty crisis that had engulfed APC in Abaji. Of course, the Abaji people's mandate that he holds in trust today is obviously a reward for his countless community development programs, selflessness and other humanitarian gestures among others. One of such gestures was the procurement and installation of electricity transformers in strategic parts of Abaji town to replace those that had been vandalized.
The youthful Dan Galadima Abaji had achieved this feat with his personal resources long before he joined the chairmanship race.
However, the manner his rivals took their dissent to his candidature must be a subject of interest for students of politics. In defiance to all reconciliatory overtues by relevant stakeholders of the party, his opponents pursued their case against his candidature up to the Supreme Court - the apex court in the land- which delivered it's judgment on 16th March, 2022 affirming the legitimacy of AUA's mandate. This has made Hon. Abdullahi the first head of a third tier of government whose legitimacy has been examined and affirmed by the supreme court. This is a rarity because the FCT area council poll is conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, unlike those of the 36 states of the federation where governors determine who become local government chairmen and the aggrieved hardly approach even the tribunals because they are equally constituted by governors.
That Hon. Abdullahi, also named the Farar Aniya by his loyalists could secure victory under a fragmented Abaji APC is a function of his political sagacity and charisma. And rebuilding Abaji APC to become the stronghold of the ruling party in the FCT, evident in the results of the general election last year where APC candidates won Abaji overwhelmingly is a confirmation that AUA is a political collossus and an emerging institution.
When the Dan Galadima Abaji assumed office on 14th June, 2022, he inherited the council in a deplorable condition due to leadership deficit. Critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education as well as security among others were begging for urgent attention. That Abaji shares boundaries with Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa states, same as it is the gateway into the FCT from the southern part of the country makes the area vulnerable to external security threats. In fact, few days after AUA assumed office, bandits had dared him by invading a certain part of Abaji, killing some local vigilante personnel who had volunteered to complement the efforts of conventional security outfits in maintaining security of lives and property.
But AUA's proactive measures, including but not limited to procurement of patrol vans for security agencies to facilitate their seamless operations as well as constant engagement with traditional rulers and regular town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders have successfully stemmed the tide of banditry attacks and other violent crimes in Abaji.
The tranquility AUA has enthroned in Abaji is the reason he enjoys the unusual goodwill and cooperation of the people. Within 22 months in office, Abaji people - both men and women, party stakeholders, market union leaders, students and the organized labour are calling for continuity - that the law which stipulates a four-year tenure for area councils be adhered to, and ultimately, his reelection.
Even his opponents, though in the minority, have a consensus about AUA: that he is a political enigma, masses-oriented leader and team player who detest the politics of bitterness. He has demonstrated that he is averse to the modern day political tendency of winner-takes-all. This aptly explains why on assumption of office, he appointed a fellow contender for Abaji APC chairmanship flag, Hon. Abdulrahman Ndagi (now of blessed memory) as Abaji council secretary. Following the sad demise of Ndagi, the Dan Galadima Abaji settled for a Bassa native as the Council Secretary. This widely applauded gesture is a deliberate step towards giving the Bassa people a sense of belonging in the affairs of Abaji.
AUA's leadership attributes of team work, inclusive administration, transparency and accountability have earned him immeasurable goodwill. And his wife, Hajiya Jamila Abubakar is more than just a pillar of support, especially in the areas of women mobilization and empowerment. Even FCT minister, Chief Nyeson could not hide his observation during a town hall meeting in Abaji when he acknowledged that "your people truly love you".
Indeed, the Farar Aniya's exemplary leadership has not only made him a reference point but also instilled public confidence in the ability of the Nigerian youth to deliver on any mandate.
Though a man of style and glamour, AUA is neither overwhelmed by the pleasures of office nor influenced by the rigour of governance. Rather, he has brought his youthfulness, simplicity and sincerity of purpose to bear on his style of administration. When he is not in the office treating files or receiving guests and attending to their needs, he is inspecting ongoing projects and laying the foundation for new ones.
To his credit are gigantic infrastructure projects across Abaji. One of them is the 80-bed space Women and Children Specialist Hospital at the Federal Low- Cost. This multi-million naira health facility, to be inaugurated soon, is the first ever to be constructed by any third tier of government anywhere in the country, and it promises to be the destination for state-of-the-art modern medical facility that will be accessible for not only Abaji people but also the neighboring Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa states. Indeed, the youthful chairman is determined to take Abaji to a greater and enviable pedestal.
His infrastructure revolution is not limited to the health sector alone as the education sector has its fair share of AUA's touch, evident in the prompt and regular payment of teachers among others. The council secretariat is being upgraded with new structures springing up; and this is a deliberate effort to provide decent work environment for local government employees.
This is aside ecological projects and a face-lift being given to the council secretariat and other parts of Abaji town. All these laudable projects among others too numerous to mention, are being executed by the amiable chairman despite the area council's meager resources.
In fact, time and space cannot guarantee exhaustive mention of the Farar Aniya's indelible footprints in Abaji, ranging from education to agriculture, healthcare delivery, women and youth empowerment, rural development, infrastructure, sports and workers welfare.
Another attribute that stands AUA out is his magnanimity, humane disposition and compassion. His poverty alleviation packages as well as youth empowerment programs are second to none. So far, AUA has donated dozens of cars to many Abaji youths. He has extended the same gesture to the organized labour, as well as religious leaders and traditional rulers. His prompt payment of workers salaries, other entitlements and numerous incentives as well as indiscriminate distribution of of palliatives have earned him accolades and goodwill across Abaji and beyond.
Today, teachers, local government workers, hair-dresssers, artisans, farmers and transporters as well as the generality of Abaji people are singing solidarity songs for AUA and calling for his reelection. All these are clear indicators that the Abaji people's mandate that the pragmatic AUA holds has been conceived and dedicated to the transformation of the 38-year old area council and as such deserves a renewal.
SOLOMON KPAMOR
is a Media Consultant and Public Affairs Analyst
HYPE.NEWS
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