Danze, Ikwa Speak on PDP Victory, Promise Transparent Governance in Gwagwalada

By Momodu Favour

The former Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Adamu Mustapha Danze (popularly known as Obama), has dismissed claims that the recent victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the council election was a protest vote.

Speaking in an interview with our reporter following the conclusion of the area council elections, Danze described the outcome as a clear expression of the people’s will.

According to him, the election was free, fair and transparent, and the margin of victory over 5,000 votes was unprecedented in the council’s history.

“The people have spoken through the ballot,” he said. “This was not a protest vote. It was a conscious decision by the people of Gwagwalada to support a candidate they believe in.”

Danze, who served two terms as chairman of the council and was also a former ALGON chairman in the FCT, explained that the chairman-elect, Hon. Muhammad Kasim Ikwa, previously served as his vice chairman.

He noted that although Ikwa had previously contested without success, the recent election provided what he described as a well-deserved opportunity for the people to reaffirm their confidence in him.

Danze attributed the PDP’s victory to grassroots connection, transparent management of resources, and people-oriented leadership.

“One thing is to have resources, another is how you manage them,” he said. “Even with limited resources, if they are transparently and judiciously used, the impact will be felt.”

On the issue of ongoing strike actions by some council workers, Danze said he was not fully aware of the specifics, as he is no longer part of the current administration.

However, he noted that strikes are often the result of unpaid entitlements or unresolved welfare issues.

“In most cases, when staff embark on strike, it is to draw attention to issues such as backlog of salaries or allowances,” he stated.

Danze urged the chairman-elect to focus on infrastructural and human capital development once sworn into office. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in governance.

“The expectations are high,” he said. “He may not have enough resources to meet every demand, but transparency will build public confidence.”

Meanwhile, the chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Ikwa, expressed gratitude to the people for electing him as their leader.

Ikwa described his emergence as an honour and pledged to deliver effective leadership.

“I am honoured to be chosen to lead the people of Gwagwalada,” he said. “The campaign was challenging, but we are ready to serve and give the people hope for a new administration.”

He promised to begin work immediately upon assumption of office and assured residents of his commitment to fulfilling campaign promises.

With the PDP’s victory standing out in contrast to outcomes in other area councils, political observers say the development signals strong local confidence in the party’s leadership within Gwagwalada.

As preparations begin for the swearing-in ceremony, residents now look forward to a new phase of governance in the council.