When the thought of the forthcoming elections especially the one that concerns the federal capital territory, FCT came to mind, the first thing that I thought of was, who are the candidates contesting for the senate position?
This piece is not to run anybody down neither is it to promote anybody but the truth needs to be told.
Recently, I did an investigation and discovered that quality people don’t always come out to contest for positions especially in the FCT and people are hellbent to remove the ones that are doing well with their mouths not because they are not performing.
However, I want to narrow down this write-up to the senate where it is presently occupied by Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, who happens to be the Senate Minority Leader.
During our investigation, we discovered that some people (name withheld for fear of victimization) are not comfortable with the Senator being there, not because he is not doing well but because they believed he has stayed for long and when they were asked to select who can do better, they couldn’t.
Sincerely and objectively, I was a resident where Aduda was representing and to me, I think the man has done a great job to some extent, he might not have achieved all that the people complaining want but he has done well by my estimation.
Take for instance, if he was not re-elected, he wouldn’t have attained the position of Senate Minority Leadership, the position the FCT is occupying for the first time in the history of politics in Nigeria.
Apart from that, during my short stint in Karu, Abuja, Senator Aduda facilitated the construction of roads notable amongst them is the road leading to Gbagalape village. I rejected a land given to me then because there was no road access to that village but today, the road is as smooth as a baby’s buttocks. You can take a drive to the place and ask what the people passed through.
My friends that were staying in that area in those days used to park their cars in Nyanya while they either trek home or take bike depending on how the weather is. If it rains, they will have to trek home because even bike will not be able to ply the road.
Another visible project is the Youth Centre in Karu around abattoir along the Cemetery road. It is a gigantic project where events take place. Ever since it was built, the place has always been busy with events by people in that area and they are in a better position to tell more on the importance of the project.
The one that is really touchy is the upgrade of the Nyanya Football Pitch which was an eyesore before the Senator intervened. Work has already commenced on the Dressing Room and the VIP stand when construction of Nyanya-Keffi road commenced. If not for the intervention of Senator Aduda, Nyanya residents especially footballers and coaches would have lost the pitch to road construction or the construction company would have converted it to their temporary site.
During a recent visit to the pitch, we discovered that it has has been secured with fence and gates. The VIP stand has also been completed alongside the Dressing Room. There is also a club/relaxation spot being built for referees and players especially for away teams to relax. There is also a volleyball court and others. There is also a borehole that supplies water. The pitch is presently the home ground for the Nigeria Police Machine team.
His representation in the Senate is also commendable when compared with other representatives especially in the House. Apart from Senator Aduda and Hon. Micah Jiba, I don’t think the residents of Abuja know the other people that are representing them in the National Assembly.
After thinking of all the exploits of Senator Aduda, what came to mind was Nate Dogg, who sang, “Nobody does it better…” The Senate and Aduda is like husband and wife that look inseparable and it looks dangerous to tamper with it and with the aforementioned including the ones not mentioned, it can only be advisable for the man to continue even if it is another one term.
However, this is not to make it look as if he is the only qualified person but if he eventually wins, he might just be made the Majority Leader or maintain the Minority Leadership position or even a higher position because of his wealth of experience and the respect he commands in the Senate but if another person takes his place, he or she might not be considered because of his or her inexperience. And when you also consider that many of his colleagues will not be returning after losing their primaries, it is just advisable to let him continue.
His continuation might just make it easy for the FCT to get the governorship seat they have been lobbying for a long time especially if his party, PDP wins the next presidential seat.
Well, you might not be satisfied with the writer’s opinion but if you take a critical look at the points raised, you will agree with him that he is making a lot of sense but because election must take place, it is hope that the electorates will take a critical look of things before taking decision. A stitch in time saves nine.
