FCT Needs Governance Reforms, Strong Opposition To Sustain Democracy – ZLP

The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has unveiled an ambitious political and legislative agenda for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), combining calls for governance reforms in the nation’s capital with a strong defence of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy amid concerns over the growing use of judicial processes in political contests.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, ZLP National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, and the party’s FCT senatorial candidate, Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia, said the party was positioning itself as a credible alternative ahead of future elections, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparent governance, internal party democracy and a level political playing field.

Asikhia, who is seeking to represent the FCT in the Senate, said decades of living in Abuja had exposed him to what he described as the governance contradictions affecting residents of the territory.

According to him, despite being home to the seat of power, many FCT residents remain disconnected from effective governance due to unclear responsibilities between elected representatives and appointed officials.

“The people of the FCT appear close to power because the Presidency is here, but in reality they are often far removed from governance. Citizens do not know whether to direct their concerns to the FCT Minister, Area Council Chairmen or their elected senator. This confusion has weakened accountability and delayed solutions to critical problems,” he said.

To address the challenge, Asikhia pledged to establish a Senatorial Liaison Office that would serve as a direct channel between residents and their representative in the National Assembly.

He also identified multiple taxation as one of the major economic burdens confronting businesses and property owners in the territory.

According to him, residents are frequently compelled to pay tenement rates to Area Councils while also paying ground rents to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), creating what he described as an unfair system that has triggered recurring legal disputes.

The ZLP candidate said he would sponsor legislation to eliminate overlapping taxes and clearly define taxing authorities within the FCT.

“People should not be subjected to multiple taxation because of administrative overlaps. We need legislation that removes ambiguity and protects residents from paying twice for essentially the same obligation,” he stated.

Beyond taxation, Asikhia promised to pursue constitutional and legislative reforms aimed at clearly delineating the responsibilities of the senator representing the FCT and those of the FCT Minister.

He argued that recurring disagreements and governance inefficiencies often stem from the absence of clearly understood boundaries between both offices.

“Good governance thrives when responsibilities are clearly defined. Residents deserve to know who is accountable for what and where to seek redress when the government fails,” he said.

Beyond his proposals for the FCT, Asikhia also spoke on broader national political developments, particularly concerns over the future of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

Referring to legal proceedings involving the deregistration of political parties, including the Zenith Labour Party, Asikhia stressed that democracy flourishes when political competition is determined by voters rather than procedural manoeuvres.

“No one is above the law, including judicial officers. The integrity of the courts must be preserved, and judicial processes should never be perceived as tools for achieving political outcomes,” he said.

He maintained that political parties meeting constitutional and electoral requirements should be allowed to participate freely in elections, arguing that democracy is strengthened when citizens are presented with genuine alternatives.

Echoing similar concerns, ZLP National Chairman Dan Nwanyanwu accused the ruling establishment of attempting to create conditions that could weaken opposition politics despite claiming overwhelming political dominance across the country.

“If a party genuinely controls over 30 states, why should it fear political competition? Why should it fear opposition parties?” he asked.

Nwanyanwu argued that the growing conversations around party deregistration and the increasing reliance on judicial interventions in political disputes raise fundamental questions about the future of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

According to him, a vibrant democratic system requires all political actors to compete on equal terms, with electoral contests decided by voters rather than technical manoeuvres.

He also dismissed suggestions that the recent wave of defections into the ruling party would automatically translate into electoral victories, insisting that political office holders do not necessarily move with their supporters.

“Governors do not vote alone. Millions of Nigerians will determine the outcome of elections. The people ultimately decide who governs them,” he said.

The ZLP chairman described Asikhia as a man of integrity, character and competence, expressing confidence that the party’s candidate possesses the qualities required to effectively represent the interests of FCT residents.

“He is a reliable ally, a man of integrity and someone committed to public service. We believe he has what it takes to give the FCT the quality representation it deserves,” Nwanyanwu stated.

The party leader also highlighted what he described as ZLP’s culture of internal democracy, noting that unlike several political parties currently grappling with post-primary disputes, the party conducted its nomination processes without controversy.

“We obey our constitution, respect the rule of law and ensure fairness in our processes. That is why our primaries produced no disputes,” he said.

Both leaders called on Nigerians to remain vigilant in defending democratic values, warning that actions capable of weakening political pluralism today could set dangerous precedents for future administrations.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us,” Asikhia said. “Political parties should be allowed to compete freely, citizens should be allowed to choose their leaders and democratic institutions should be protected from undue interference.”

As the country gradually moves toward another electoral cycle, the ZLP leadership insists that governance reforms in the FCT and the protection of Nigeria’s multiparty system must remain central to national discourse.