BY GILBERT BWANSHAK
As active participants in Nigeria’s unfortunate and needless civil war that spanned three years between 1967 and 1970, and major players in the General Yakubu Gowon administration in the early to mid-70s, the duo of Generals Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo when they assumed leadership of Nigeria in 1975, reasoned the need for decisive and deliberate actions to unify the country. From inception, the Murtala/Obasanjo government resolved to build on the mileage covered by Gowon who was overthrown by the new crop of military rulers.
Their passion for true nationhood and commitment to patriotism and nation building led to the carving of Abuja as the new Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. In doing this, the Murtala/Obasanjo government envisioned a federal capital that will be home to every Nigerian no matter your ethnicity, tribe, religion and any other persuasion. In their projection, Abuja should be a place where every Nigerian would have sense of belonging, inclusivity and true brotherhood among all citizens. The capital territory went through different stages and assumed various nomenclature; from proposed to emerging and substantive capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In like manner, it witnessed many stages of development from raw state to infancy and what it is today. During the military regimes of Ibrahim Babaginda, Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar the capital territory was given varied degrees of concentration by respective leadership. Given their orientation, background and experiences in the military profession, there were conscious efforts to maintain the status of Abuja as the unifying capital city of Nigeria and for Nigerians. In every way possible, they tried to toe the line of their superiors who birth the new capital city.
With Nigeria’s return to civilian governance in 1999 which saw the emergence of a retired military general, Olusegun Obasanjo as the new democratic president of Nigeria, many envisaged the further enforcement of Abuja as home for all. Being the other leg of the duo that carved and created the new federal capital, residents and Nigerians were expectant with deliberate enthusiasm. In his own way, the Obasanjo government endeavoured to meet the aspiration of Nigerians. Though much was not achieved in the first term (1999-2003) but the story changed in the second term (2003-2007), as considerable mileage were covered in few areas, particularly restoring the original plan of the federal capital territory.
According to opinions and comments of many long term residents of Abuja, it was obvious that though past ministers of the Federal Capital Territory tried in their respective tenures to ensure the all-inclusivity vision of the founders of Abuja, in some ways the bureaucracy favoured a particular section of the country. Perhaps this may not be their making considering the evolution of Abuja particularly as it relates to personnel recruitment at it’s formative years. This trend continued from one administration to the other. Somehow, it was only during the tenure of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that attempts were made to correct the skewed bureaucracy. Even at that, some people argued that the former Kaduna state governor was calculative and strategic in appointing and posting of those carefully selected to juicy positions and departments.
However it became worse in the last administration. Previously laid down guidelines and rules for some appointments were flagrantly abused. Adherence to federal character were deliberately jettisoned. For instance, while previous administrations ensured that one Mandate Secretary was picked to represent each of the six geo-political zones, this well-thought principle was shoved aside. In virtually all departments and units, the depth of skewed bureaucracy was glaring. In many ways, it affected the morale of workers such that service delivery took the backseat.
When Nyesom Wike assumed office as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the third quarter of 2023, many workers wondered if he would have the nerve to address these anomalies. Many staff secretly wish that Wike would have the political will to right the wrong in the ministry’s bureaucracy which was eroding trust, believe, and cohesion. Many agreed that if the trend persists it will lead to widespread failure in service delivery which may impact negatively on the development of the territory.
In almost a year in office, Wike (and his junior Minister) have made significant landmarks in many sectors. From building of bridges, roads, and Infrastructures in other sectors to the improvement and upgrade of facilities, Wike has recorded achievements that dwarfs that of his predecessors. Fact is, of all the past ministers, only El-Rufai posted achievements that are close to what is happening in Abuja now. A visit round the city and across the six Area Councils will convince everyone that Wike is working.
Over the past couple of months, some profound and transformational policies have been introduced in the governance structure of the federal capital territory. Perhaps unknown to him, in a quiet, meticulous, and deliberate approach to leadership and governance, Wike has been taking decisions which are in total conformity with the ideals and visions of the founder fathers and creators of Abuja as the federal capital of Nigeria. For a start, with the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, the minister has succeeded in the restructuring of the entity from a ministry-focal to full-state structure with all the compliments of necessary appurtenances. With this singular and successful step, the scope of the vision of governance in the federal capital has swiftly expanded.
For the first time since it’s creation over four decade ago, the bureaucracy of the federal capital has weaned itself from the control of the Federal Civil Service by having its own; FCT Civil Service Commission. As a follow-up, the pioneer FCT’s Head of Service was appointed. In addition, ten(10) Permanent Secretaries were subsequently appointed and deployed to fit into the new governance and organisational structure of the federal capital territory. Similarly, to encourage gender equality and deepen inclusivity, which was the main reason for creating the federal capital territory the Women Affairs Secretariat was empaneled thereby increasing the Mandate Secretariats to seven.
It is instructive that Wike has been adhering to the principles of federal character in appointments, deployment of staff and every bureaucracy in the federal capital territory. From observation and comments by staff and residents there are empirical proofs to confirm that Wike is meticulously maintaining and sustaining the visions and principles of the federal capital territory which are also in sync with the agenda of Tinubu. Just as he ensured that the positions of the six Mandate Secretaries were given to people from the six geo-political zones, the ten Permanent Secretaries were evenly distributed, same with Directors of key Agencies and Departments.
Wike’s courageous actions has emplaced equity, fairness and justice in the federal capital territory. Though it has elicited minor hush-hush murmurings among few people but the vast majority of staff are excited. With adherence to competence, track record and experience many have witnessed rightful placements and long over-due promotions. Suddenly, a new culture of inclusivity, belonginess and unity is now in the federal capital territory. Unlike in the past when your career progression is solely anchored on where you come from, the reverse is the case. Workers are now encouraged to put in their best knowing that they would be appropriately appreciated through career growth when the need arises.
Though a huge percentage of federal capital territory’s over 7,000 work force are extremely happy with Wike’s commitment to all inclusivity, some are worried if he can sustain it till the end of his tenure. Few are also concerned that he may be victim of intense pressure and sustained blackmail orchestrated by few people who believe that every juicy positions in the federal capital territory is their birthright. Given Wike’s commitment to equity, fairness and justice as eloquently exemplified during his political fight with the People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate during the last general election, it is certain that he will not bow to any intimidation and subterfuge. As a firm believer in “agreement na agreement” Wike is expected to enforce and ingrain the principles of law, order, justice, fairness and equity in the federal capital territory under his watch.
* GILBERT BWANSHAK is an Abuja based public affairs analyst