By Abubakar Yunusa
Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, on Thursday urged residents to recommit to grassroots governance ahead of Saturday’s Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
Adebayo spoke at a campaign rally in Gwagwalada, saying the poll offers voters an opportunity to demand accountability from leaders at the local level.
He recalled that the Federal Capital Territory was created in 1976 under the late Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, to ensure equal access to infrastructure and opportunities for all Nigerians.
According to him, the disparity in infrastructure between districts such as Asokoro and Maitama and satellite communities like Gwagwalada shows the need for policy-driven leadership focused on equitable development.
Adebayo listed irregular power supply, poor access to potable water, bad roads, underfunded schools and insecurity as key challenges facing residents.
He said sustainable national development must start from the grassroots rather than rely solely on federal interventions.
The SDP chieftain urged voters to consider competence, integrity and service records when choosing leaders, warning against voting along ethnic or religious lines or being influenced by financial inducements.
He described the party’s chairmanship candidate as a community-focused legal practitioner committed to improving education and promoting social justice, especially for vulnerable groups.
Adebayo added that strengthening healthcare, infrastructure and security in satellite towns was crucial to the stability of the FCT, noting that neglect in one community affects the wider society.
Saturday’s poll will determine leadership across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Also speaking, the SDP chairmanship candidate in Gwagwalada Area Council, Khalid Bala-Gano, expressed confidence in the party’s prospects.
Bala-Gano said the rally capped weeks of grassroots mobilisation, stakeholder engagement and issue-based campaigning.
Despite challenges during the campaign, he said the party remained focused on practical solutions to address infrastructure gaps, strengthen primary healthcare, improve basic education and enhance security.
He called on residents to turn out peacefully to vote, pledging transparent, accountable and inclusive governance if elected.
