Adebayo urges FCT residents to elect accountable leaders in Area Council polls
Ahead of Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has called on residents to use the exercise to redefine
Ahead of Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has called on residents to use the exercise to redefine leadership at the grassroots by electing accountable officials.
He said the polls present an opportunity to strengthen grassroots governance and promote inclusive development across the territory.
Adebayo made the remarks during a campaign rally and roadshow in Gwagwalada, headquarters of the Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.
Reflecting on the creation of the FCT in 1976, he noted that the territory was designed to guarantee equitable access to infrastructure and opportunities for all Nigerians, irrespective of social standing. He, however, observed that five decades later, disparities persist between districts such as Asokoro and Maitama and satellite communities including Gwagwalada.
According to him, the imbalance underscores the need for policy-driven leadership focused on equitable infrastructure and social services.
He identified irregular power supply, limited access to potable water, poor road networks, underfunded schools and security concerns as major challenges confronting residents of satellite towns.
Adebayo maintained that sustainable national development must originate from effective local governance rather than exclusive reliance on federal-level interventions.
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He urged voters to prioritise competence, integrity and a record of service when casting their ballots, cautioning against decisions based on ethnicity, religion or financial inducement.
The SDP leader described the party’s chairmanship candidate as a community-focused legal practitioner committed to improving access to education and advancing social justice, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Adebayo further emphasised that improving healthcare, infrastructure, and security in satellite towns is essential not only for residents but for the overall stability of the FCT, noting that socio-economic neglect in any community ultimately affects the wider society.
He therefore called on eligible voters to participate actively in the forthcoming Area Council election, stressing that meaningful national transformation begins with accountable leadership at the local government level.
Expressing high hopes for victory, the party's chairmanship candidate for Gwagwalada Area Council, Khalid Bala-Gano, said the party would coast home to victory in Saturday's election.
Bala-Gano described the event as the culmination of weeks of grassroots engagement, stakeholder consultations, and issue-based campaigning.
He stated that despite challenges encountered during the campaign period, the party remained focused on presenting practical policy solutions to address infrastructure deficits, improve primary healthcare delivery, strengthen basic education, and enhance security within the council.
According to him, the election represents an opportunity for residents to choose leadership committed to transparency, accountability, and inclusive development.
Bala-Gano expressed confidence that with community support and what he described as divine grace, the party would secure victory at the polls.
He reaffirmed his commitment to people-oriented governance, promising to prioritise sustainable development programmes that directly impact the lives of residents across wards in the Area Council.