By Veronica Dariya
Dr Adewole Adebayo, former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has called for the restoration of powers and autonomy to local governments nationwide to strengthen grassroots governance.
Adebayo made the call during the party’s campaign visit to the palace of the Sarkin of Bwari, Musa Ijakoro, ahead of the Feb. 21 FCT Area Council elections.
He described local government as the tier closest to the people and most critical to delivering democratic dividends and addressing community needs.
According to him, before the 1976 local government reforms, native authority systems worked closely with traditional institutions, ensuring governance reflected local realities and enjoyed community ownership.
He said restoring such collaboration through constitutional reforms would improve service delivery, accountability and citizens’ participation in governance.
“The local government truly belongs to the people and must work with traditional institutions that understand community dynamics,” he said.
Adebayo urged residents to support SDP candidates in the forthcoming poll, assuring that the party would conduct a peaceful campaign devoid of violence, division or inducement.
He added that effective local governance would ease pressure on higher tiers of government by ensuring essential services and development initiatives were efficiently managed at the grassroots.
Also speaking, the SDP National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Gombe, called on residents to take ownership of the democratic process by electing credible leaders who understand local challenges.
Gombe said area councils were pivotal to service delivery, economic empowerment and social stability, noting that contestants were members of the community with firsthand knowledge of its needs.
He urged voters to assess candidates based on competence, accessibility and integrity, adding that the responsibility for shaping the council’s future rested with the electorate.
The party’s chairmanship candidate, Abubakar Abdullahi, pledged inclusive governance and grassroots-driven development if elected.
Abdullahi said his administration would prioritise transparency, community engagement and equitable distribution of resources while strengthening infrastructure and social cohesion across the council.
He noted that Bwari’s diversity required leadership accommodating all groups, regardless of ethnic, religious or political affiliation.
In his response, the Sarkin of Bwari urged political actors and residents to ensure peaceful participation in the elections, stressing unity and mutual respect.
He reminded stakeholders that leadership is determined by the will of the people through lawful voting and advised candidates to conduct themselves responsibly.
The traditional ruler also offered prayers for peaceful, credible and hitch-free elections, as well as continued development of the area council and the Federal Capital Territory.
The elections will hold across six area councils; Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali with stakeholders emphasising transparency, security and active voter participation.
The poll will be conducted in 68 constituencies, covering the election of chairmen and their deputies as well as councillors across 62 wards.
Each council has 10 wards, except AMAC, which has 12 due to its larger population. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
