FCT Polls: Adebayo Urges Voters To Redefine Local Leadership

Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Dr Adewole Adebayo, has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to come out en masse for Saturday’s council  elections, saying it offers an opportunity  to redefine local leadership and demand accountability from elected officials.

He urged residents to prioritise grassroots governance and inclusive development ahead of Saturday’s Area Council elections.

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.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Gwagwalada yesterday, Adebayo noted  the disparities between affluent districts such as Asokoro and Maitama and satellite communities like Gwagwalada, stressing that they underscore the need for policy-driven leadership focused on equitable development.

He said the creation of the FCT under the administration of Murtala Muhammed in 1976 was meant to ensure equitable access to infrastructure and opportunities for all Nigerians.

He however 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.