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By Emeka Oraetoka
As the countdown to 2027 elections approaches, permutations as to who will contest what, gets to feverish end across the country, FCT presents a very delicate situation election wise. Due to constitutional stipulation, FCT has only one Senatorial representative, unlike other 36 states of the federation with 3 representative each. As Federal Capital Territory, FCT Senatorial seat can be contested by any Nigerian, living within the geographical location. Notwithstanding these facts FCT, like any other territory in Nigeria, has original inhabitants, known in Nigeria parlance as Indigenes. If FCT were to be a State, it is only natural that Indigenes will be contesting elections: Governors, Senators, House of Representatives members etc, but “unfortunately” politics wise, for the Indigenous People, political space is limited for them.
Senator Phillip Aduda, was the Senator, representing FCT, up until 2023, when in a shocking manner, he lost to Ireti Kingibe, the current FCT Senator. Due to the nature of Abuja, Ireti Kingibe who is not an indigene of FCT, contested on the platform of Labour Party (LP) and won. She is probably angling to come back to Senate in 2027 on the political platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Now, rational Nigerians should look at the Political trap the FCT youths may walk into this way: if Senator Ireti Kingibe is going to contest in 2027, it will be in her interest that original inhabitants of FCT remain divided between Senator Phillip Aduda and Ezekiel Dalhatu. The rather emotional call for Hon Ezekiel Dalhatu Musa, by Indigenous youths of FCT, to contest the only Senate seat in the territory looks very much like a political trap! Though, it is within the democratic right of youths to support whomever they want, just as it is the right of Ezekiel Dalhatu to contest any political seat, including Senate in the FCT. However, there are many factors that make the call by Indigenous youths unnecessarily emotional, irrational, ill-timed, politically suicidal, and unwise, considering the precarious political position the Indigenous people of FCT find themselves in; and probably a set-up by outside Political interest(s) to divide their votes, with the ultimate intention of handing victory to a non-indigene in 2027 Senate election.
If the call for Ezekiel Dalhatu Musa to contest Senate seat in 2027, is not to advance the interest of Senator Ireti Kingibe, why are the FCT youths not using the same energy they are pushing for Ezekiel Dalhatu, to demand for Senator Ireti Kingibe’s score card in the last 3 years of her representation in FCT? How are we sure that the so-called Indigenous youths are actually from FCT? Is it not possible that someone is using Ezekiel Dalhatu to rapture the political peace and harmony existing among the Indigenous People of FCT?
Here is a big question mark to reflect on: Ezekeil Dalhatu was the DG of Senator Phillip Aduda’s Campaign in 2023. After the election, did he make a critique of what went wrong in the camp of PDP or was he a sell-out to the Labour Party (LP)? He might be trying to do again, what he did in 2023, otherwise, how will a DG of a Campaign Organisation come out to contest against his principal, having led him to failure at the 2023 pools? Can Ezekiel Dalhatu be categorised here as a big-time betrayer? Food for thought.
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Facts on ground, suggested that Ezekiel Dalhatu Musa, owes his rise to political limelight to years of Senator Phillip Aduda’s struggle for better things for his people. It is on record that Aduda made Ezekiel Dalhatu a commissioner in Public Complaints Commission (PCC) Abuja. It is safe to say that without Senator Phillip Aduda’s untiring efforts, Ezekiel Dalhatu, will still will still be struggling to be heard in FCT. Although, FCT youths have not accused Senator Aduda of not representing their interests all these years at NASS. What they keep saying is that he, Aduda should act as godfather to Ezekiel Dalhatu, by allowing him have a shot at senatorial seat. As enticing as this position could be, the issue of Senate seat goes beyond pedestrian emotional blackmail. We are talking about reality, based on the precarious political position the original inhabitants of FCT find themselves, and how best they can achieve results-oriented representation in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This demands, maturity, experience, not youthful activism. And Senator Phillip Aduda is best bet to ensure purposeful representation of the good people of the FCT.
Like I have always maintained, Senator Aduda in Senate come 2027, will profit FCT in many ways. Recall that Senator Aduda was the Minority Leader of the 9th Senate, the first son of Abuja to rise to that position. And by extention, part of the decision-making organs of NASS. If his people back him to regain his seat in 2027, he could become: the Senate Leader, Deputy Senate President or Senate President. These positions only go to experienced and mature Senators, not a new comer in Senate, which Ezekiel Dalhatu Musa, will be, in the unlikely event FCT youths make mistake of electing him. But if Senator Phillip Aduda goes back to Senate in 2027, and becomes any of the mentioned officers here, it will afford FCT the opportunity of bringing the plight of original inhabitants of Abuja to the front-burner of national discuss and quick solution to it. For instance, Senator Phillip Aduda as the Senate Leader, can propose a bill for the nine (9) original inhabitants that lost their land as a result of sacrifice they made after Federal Capital was moved from Lagos to FCT; to be paid yearly “land derivation money” for losing their land, just like Niger Delta is paid 13% derivation to cushion the effect of oil exploration. After all, Red Indians in USA are paid a kind of compensation for losing their land. All Nigerians know that losing of Land by a people is worst than Oil exploration. There are other progressive bills Senator Phillip Aduda can sponsor in favour of original inhabitants of FCT and other stakeholders in the city.
At this point in time, what the youths of FCT should do is to demand from Senator Phillip Aduda, he will do this time, if given the opportunity to represent FCT in 2027. They should also find out how the grant for film production and logistics for Youths in FCT, he Senator Phillip Aduda, used his influence to secured for youths in the six ( 6) area councils in FCT in 2023, was disbursed, and how much? It was gathered that Senator Aduda, in his empowerment drive, made sure that substantial amount of money was inserted into 2023 budget for youths in FCT, to enable them setup film production and related businesses. It was estimated that about 200 to 300 youths from each area council, was estimated to benefit from the grant. This writer expects that FCT youths should be asking questions in this direction, like how many youths eventually benefitted from this grant? Again, youths should also ask how contract for the construction and installation of solar powered boreholes in: Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari and AMAC area councils were eventually executed in mentioned councils.
There was contract for construction and rehabilitation of rural roads in: AMAC, Bwari and Kuje Area Councils which Senator Phillip Aduda attracted in FCT. This writer expects the youths of FCT to find out if this contract had been executed. Another contract for the construction of 1km Idu extension road was also attracted by Senator Phillip Aduda. Have FCT youths demanded to know whether this road was done and if not, why?
The youths of FCT, should also demand to know how several Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority Projects attracted in FCT Senatorial District by Senator Phillip Aduda was done. If FCT youths don’t know what to do here, this writer is ready to provide necessary information around these youth friendly contracts Senator Phillip Aduda, the Minority Leader of the 9th Senate, fought and brought for FCT in 2023.
