By Angela Atabo/Emmanuel Oloniruha
Young Progressives Party (YPP) has unveiled a governance blueprint for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), pledging a people-first approach to local administration ahead of the Feb. 21 area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
The YPP AMAC Chairmanship candidate, Robert Madaki, presented the plan during the official inauguration of the YPP campaign ahead of the FCT elections on Saturday in Abuja.
Madaki said his “10 pillars of AMAC Transformation” had been grouped for clarity and effective implementation focused on administrative reform, accountability, security, inclusive development among others.
According to him, a key component of the blueprint is right staffing, which involves a review of AMAC’s administrative structure to improve efficiency, service delivery and financial sustainability.
Madaki said, “It also speaks to the fact that you are setting up a system that will make AMAC profitable.
“There are certain services that AMAC offers that is not offered by any other organisation.These are statutory responsibilities of AMAC.
“So, the idea is to evolve a structure of administration within AMAC that allows for the current staffing structure to begin to carry much of that responsibility, more efficiency.
“The other area speaks to the structuring of the entire system and ecosystem around AMAC to make sure that AMAC has structures of governance that allow governance to be felt.
“There are too many ungoverned spaces in AMAC and what we mean by ungoverned spaces is that local government administration is not felt in this area.”
Madaki explained that YPP intended to also ensure that residents of AMAC benefit more directly from democracy because currently people were not getting the dividends of democracy.
According to him, governance is more than collecting taxes;it is about presence, inclusion, and humane leadership,
“AMAC should be the poster child for local government administration in Nigeria, given its strategic position and visibility to both national and international observers.
“Governance must be felt by the people.
“The area council is the closest arm of government to the people, and security is part of ensuring the welfare of residents,” he said.
On accountability, Madaki said elected officials should remain answerable to the people noting that without accountability, democracy brings no benefit because eaders are not elected to hide information or misuse public resources as accountability ought to come from both leadership and the people.
The AMAC candidate also outlined the role of local government in security, highlighting advocacy, community awareness, and collaboration with security agencies as key responsibilities.
The YPP candidate urged residents to participate actively in the AMAC elections scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, describing the polls as crucial to improving governance at the grassroots.
Earlier, the FCT Chairman of YPP, Abraham Adedotun, said the party was adopting a new and innovative approach to politics, driven largely by young and vibrant candidates.
“We are bringing a different system of governance to AMAC and the FCT. Our candidates are credible, educated and committed, and we do not make promises we cannot keep,” Adedotun said.
He expressed confidence in the party’s chances at the polls.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their transparency and openness in the build-up to the elections, adding that YPP remained committed to peaceful campaigns.
In his remarks, the INEC Electoral Officer for AMAC, Mr Kabiru Bala, confirmed that the area council elections would hold on February 21, assuring stakeholders of a credible and transparent process.
Bala disclosed that AMAC had 1,401 polling units across 12 wards, and encouraged residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that distribution was ongoing at ward levels and INEC offices.
“There is no election without participation. Voters must come out, collect their PVCs and guard their votes,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the campaign inauguration drew party supporters, youth groups and other stakeholders, marking the formal commencement of YPP’s activities ahead of the AMAC polls.(NAN)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
