By Achile Danjuma
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has elevated the traditional stool of the Etsu of Kwali from a second-class to a first-class ranking.
The Minister announced the upgrade on Monday in Kwali, located in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT, during a visit to express gratitude to community stakeholders for their support in the recent area council elections.
Mr. Wike stated that the decision was in recognition of the unwavering support demonstrated by the Etsu of Kwali, Luka Nizassan III, for President Bola Tinubu. He also noted that the promotion was granted following a request from the council’s Chairman-elect, Mr. Nuhu Kwali.
“Let me also say that before now, your traditional ruler told me that you were going to support Mr. President, and we have seen it,” Mr. Wike said. “By the powers conferred on me, I hereby upgrade his chieftaincy stool to first class. Mr. President will always be with you and give you the necessary support.”
The Minister further assured the people of Kwali that their traditional ruler would also receive a new, befitting palace. He reiterated the importance of the pact between the government and the governed, noting that just as the community fulfilled its promise to support the President’s candidates, the President would reciprocate with developmental commitments.
“Remember, when I came to Kwali for an interactive session, I asked you what you wanted and you told me, and I told you ‘agreement is agreement’,” Mr. Wike added.
In his remarks, the Etsu of Kwali, Luka Nizassan III, lauded the Minister’s visit as an “unprecedented” act of political gratitude, noting that it was the first time a minister had returned to thank the electorate for their participation in choosing their leaders. He pledged the community’s continued loyalty and urged the newly elected officials to prioritize the needs of the people.
“To the elected council leaders, it was easier for them to win because the electorate saw what Mr. President has done in the area through Wike,” the monarch stated. He encouraged them to emulate the Minister’s approach and solidify their support base by executing people-oriented projects.
Echoing this sentiment, Chairman-elect Nuhu Kwali described the Minister as “God-sent” to the FCT. He attributed his decisive electoral victory to the visible impact of the numerous infrastructure projects executed by the Wike-led administration. Mr. Kwali, a former two-term councillor, expressed his gratitude to the community for their trust and support.
The outgoing Chairman of the council also used the opportunity to commend Mr. Wike for his support and appealed to the Minister to consider the construction of key road projects that are of critical importance to the people of Kwali.