By Uche Bibilari
Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Dr Adewole Adebayo, has urged residents of the FCT to prioritise grassroots governance and inclusive development ahead of Saturday’s Area Council elections.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Gwagwalada on Tuesday, Adebayo said the election offers an opportunity for citizens to redefine local leadership and demand accountability from elected officials.
He recalled that the creation of the FCT under the administration of Murtala Muhammed in 1976 aimed to ensure equitable access to infrastructure and opportunities for all Nigerians.
Adebayo highlighted the stark disparities between affluent districts such as Asokoro and Maitama and satellite communities like Gwagwalada, saying they underscore the need for policy-driven leadership focused on equitable development.
He identified key challenges facing residents to include irregular electricity supply, inadequate potable water, poor road networks, under-resourced schools, and insecurity.
The former presidential candidate stressed that sustainable national development must start at the grassroots rather than relying solely on federal interventions.
He urged voters to prioritise competence, integrity, and proven service when choosing leaders, rather than ethnicity, religion, or financial inducements.
Adebayo described the SDP’s chairmanship candidate in Gwagwalada, Khalid Bala-Gano, as a community-focused legal practitioner dedicated to expanding access to education and social justice, especially for vulnerable groups.
He added that improving healthcare, infrastructure, and security in satellite towns is vital for the stability of the FCT, noting that socio-economic neglect in any community ultimately affects the wider society.
In his remarks, Bala-Gano expressed optimism about the party’s prospects in Saturday’s election, describing the campaign as the culmination of weeks of grassroots engagement, stakeholder consultations, and issue-based outreach.
In spite challenges during the campaign period, he said the SDP remained committed to delivering practical policy solutions to address infrastructure deficits, enhance primary healthcare, strengthen basic education, and improve security within the council.
Bala-Gano called on residents to actively participate in the democratic process, assuring that the party would prioritise people-oriented governance and sustainable development programmes across all wards in the Area Council.
He also expressed confidence that with community support and divine guidance, the SDP would secure victory at the polls.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the upcoming Area Council election in the FCT, scheduled for Feb. 21, will determine leadership across all six Area Councils.
The poll will be conducted in 68 constituencies, comprising the positions of Chairmen and their deputies for the six councils of Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali and 62 wards.
Each council has 10 wards, except AMAC, which has 12 wards due to its larger population. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
