The recent media statement celebrating Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri’s inspection of a mosque rehabilitation project in Shetugo, Kuje, has once again exposed a troubling pattern of misplaced priorities in the leadership of the Gwagwalada Area Council.
While religious infrastructure is important to community life, governance demands that leaders focus first on the most urgent needs affecting the future of society — education, healthcare, security, and economic empowerment. Unfortunately, the current administration appears more concerned with symbolic gestures and political positioning ahead of 2027 rather than addressing the decaying educational system across Gwagwalada.
Across Gwagwalada Area Council, public schools remain in deplorable conditions:
• Classrooms with broken roofs and leaking ceilings
• Students sitting on bare floors due to lack of desks
• Schools without toilets or clean water
• Dilapidated structures that threaten the lives of pupils
• Shortage of teachers and learning materials
These are not hidden problems. They are visible realities affecting children daily in communities like Kutunku, Paiko, Dobi, Ibwa, Tungan Maje, Zuba, and rural settlements across Gwagwalada.
It is deeply concerning that while these schools continue to deteriorate, the Chairman is publicly celebrating mosque renovations outside his primary administrative jurisdiction, instead of addressing the educational collapse under his direct responsibility.
A responsible Chairman should prioritize:
• Renovation of primary schools
• Provision of desks and learning materials
• Recruitment and welfare of teachers
• Construction of new classrooms
• Improvement of school sanitation facilities
These interventions would directly impact thousands of children and shape the future of Gwagwalada.
Instead, what we are witnessing is a growing trend of politically motivated activities aimed at building support for a future electoral ambition.
The report that youths presented campaign banners urging Hon. Giri to contest for the Abuja South Federal Constituency seat raises further concerns.
Public office should not be used as a stepping stone for higher political ambitions at the expense of core governance responsibilities.
Leadership performance should be measured by:
• Improved schools
• Reduced poverty
• Youth empowerment
• Infrastructure development
• Security improvements
Unfortunately, these benchmarks remain largely unmet in many parts of Gwagwalada.
Government leaders must serve all citizens regardless of religion, tribe, or political affiliation. While supporting religious institutions is acceptable, it should never overshadow fundamental responsibilities such as education and community development.
Renovating a mosque while children study under trees or in collapsing classrooms sends the wrong message about leadership priorities.
Before aspiring to represent Abuja South at the House of Representatives, Hon. Giri must first demonstrate:
• Effective leadership in Gwagwalada
• Tangible development in education
• Sustainable youth empowerment
• Transparent governance
• Balanced infrastructural development
Without these achievements, calls for higher office appear premature and politically motivated rather than merit-based.
The people of Gwagwalada deserve leadership that prioritizes the future of their children over political optics. Education remains the most powerful tool for development, and neglecting it undermines the growth of the entire Area Council.
Until meaningful improvements are seen in the condition of schools and social infrastructure, the push to elevate Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri to the House of Representatives should be viewed with caution.
Leadership is not measured by banners, caps, or political endorsements, it is measured by impact, accountability, and service to the people.
At this critical moment, Gwagwalada needs less politics and more governance.