Adebayo urges focus on grassroots governance ahead of FCT poll

2026-02-17 - 21:27

By Henry Umoru ABUJA — The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has called for renewed commitment to grassroots governance and inclusive development ahead of Saturday’s Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory. Speaking during a campaign rally in Gwagwalada, Adebayo said the election presents residents with an opportunity to redefine leadership at the local level and demand accountability from elected officials. He noted that the creation of the FCT under the administration of Murtala Muhammed in 1976 was intended to provide equal access to infrastructure and opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of social status. Saturday’s poll will determine leadership across the six Area Councils of the FCT. Adebayo pointed to disparities in infrastructure and social services between districts such as Asokoro and Maitama and satellite communities like Gwagwalada, stressing the need for policy-driven leadership focused on equitable development. He identified key challenges confronting residents to include irregular electricity supply, inadequate potable water, poor road networks, under-resourced schools, and insecurity, adding that sustainable national development must begin at the grassroots rather than relying solely on federal-level interventions. The SDP chieftain urged voters to prioritise competence, integrity, and proven service in choosing their leaders, rather than ethnicity, religion, or financial inducement. He also described the party’s chairmanship candidate as a community-oriented legal practitioner committed to expanding access to education and social justice, particularly for vulnerable groups. 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 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. Meanwhile, the SDP Chairmanship candidate in Gwagwalada Area Council, Khalid Bala-Gano, expressed optimism about his party’s chances in Saturday’s election, describing the exercise as the culmination of weeks of grassroots engagement, stakeholder consultations, and issue-based campaigning. According to him, 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. Bala-Gano said the election offers residents an opportunity to choose leadership committed to transparency, accountability, and inclusive development, expressing 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 residents across wards in the Area Council, and urged eligible voters to turn out peacefully and participate actively in the democratic process.