The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has urged traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to work closely with the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to transform the territory.
The former Kano State governor, particularly asked the business community to co-operate with the minister to create a decent environment for commercial activities in the mega city of Abuja.
Ganduje gave the charge when a delegation of the Arewa Traders Association visited him at the APC national secretariat in Abuja yesterday.
He said Wike is a competent person who, having presided over a big city of Port Harcourt now has the mandate to administer over another big city like the FCT.
“So I urge you to cooperate with him, so that he can create a decent environment for commercial activities in the mega city of Abuja.
“Security is his number one programme that he mentioned, and I am sure he will improve the transportation system of Abuja.
“As traders, you know how important transportation is in the city, he will improve the lighting of the city so that trading can take place at night, if there is light everywhere in Abuja,” Ganduje said.
While assuring the traders that APC will carry them along in the scheme of things, the national chairman said; “we have taken note of your request; we assure you as a political party, we will also involve you in our political party activities.
“Although we have elections coming in November, Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States, and in all these states there are traders. You will get the key to those traders so that they participate actively in the election.”
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Alhaji Adam Hassan Ibrahim appealed to the national chairman to consider members of the group for appointments into government and committees.
“You are aware that members of this noble association are well educated in spheres of life and we constitute the majority in our economic and political contribution. We will like you to use your good office to provide a good format for inclusion of Traders to the various governmental appointments and the committees so that Traders will feel confident in the campaign activities for the party.
“Sir, our members are facing economic challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic, removal of fuel subsidy, high exchange rate and insecurity in many parts of the country. We are therefore appealing to you for your kind assistance and intervention.
“I hope to call on all our governors to, as a matter of urgency, look into traders’ activities which will stimulate economic activities and reduce hardship as well as general insecurity in the state,” he said.
