The Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, has once again drawn public attention following his recent decision to gift official vehicles to two of his Senior Special Assistants — Hon. Husseini Deze (Political) and Hon. Ismaila Kukeli (Special Duty).
While the gesture was described by his media aide, Ibrahim Y. Yamawo, as an “act of appreciation for hard work and loyalty,” many residents and council workers have questioned the Chairman’s priorities, accusing him of rewarding political loyalists at the expense of governance, accountability, and public welfare.
According to the press statement released on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the Chairman’s action was meant to “recognize and reward excellence within his administration.” However, a deeper look into the current state of Gwagwalada Area Council paints a troubling picture — one marked by unpaid staff salaries, decaying infrastructure, unfulfilled scholarship promises, and widespread disillusionment among residents.
Several council workers who spoke with Chronicles Reporters under anonymity lamented that despite multiple assurances from the Chairman, salary arrears running into several months remain unpaid. “We hear of new cars for political aides, but we can’t even feed our families,” one junior staff member said. “The Chairman rewards loyalty, not service. The system here is collapsing while allocation keeps coming monthly.”
Records from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) show that Gwagwalada Area Council continues to receive regular monthly allocations — funds that many allege are not being reflected in visible development projects or social programs.
The council’s much-publicized scholarship initiative for indigent students has reportedly stalled since 2023, with no clear explanation offered to the public. Several schools across the wards remain in dire condition, health centers are underfunded, and youth empowerment programs announced earlier in the administration have either been abandoned or diverted.
Community observers argue that the car gifts expose the growing culture of patronage and political favoritism within local governance. “The Chairman is more interested in consolidating loyalty than delivering governance,” said a civil rights advocate based in Gwagwalada. “Public office should be about service, not personal reward systems.”
Meanwhile, calls for transparency and accountability continue to mount, as residents demand a breakdown of how the council’s allocations are utilized. The gesture of gifting cars, while symbolic, has become a flashpoint in a growing debate about misplaced priorities and the disconnect between leadership and the people.
As the administration of Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri enters a crucial phase, Gwagwalada’s residents are asking one question that echoes across the wards: if cars can be bought for aides, why can’t the Chairman pay workers, fund scholarships, or show tangible development for which he was elected?
— Chronicles Reporters