As the FCT Area Councils elections draw near, Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Honourable Stephen Ajiya, is upbeat that the ruling Party would sweep the six Area Councils.

Ajiya who is the Director of Turning Point Nigeria spoke in an exclusive interview and said the party is prepared to overcome 2023 mistakes that gave the labour party sweeping victory in the FCT.

Ajiya, who highlighted several issues that culminated in the party losing its grip on the FCT in the last general elections, says it has taken numerous measures at the local government levels to ensure there are no loopholes for for feliure. He informed that the people have witnessed proper developmental progress including ongoing projects covering rural roads, rural electrification, water projects, as well as human capacity building programs.

“I’m confident that the APC will win the FCT election because of the caliber of persons who pilot affairs of the six area councils especially the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) we are witnessing the work they are doing. And do not forget that the AMAC Chairman was elected on the platform of the PDP, but later defected to the APC owing to the internal crises. After his switch to APC, he remains committed to the developmental projects of AMAC. And we believe that come February 21st, he will be reelected into office, all things being equal.

That is to say that those who work must be rewarded handsomely. I think that Christopher maikalangu deserve a second tenure. And those efforts are added to what the Minister of FCT is doing on project execution.

While fielding answers to crises in parties as contributing to the APC’s chances, he argued that the chances of the APC are due to the performances they have achieved within four years. He said both the Minister and Chairmen of the six area councils especially that of AMAC, have done well in terms of project implementation.

“But do not forget that the Area Council Election in the FCT is not like ordinary national elections and as an indigene, I know what I’m saying. The elections are generally localized and over 90 percent would prefer voting for an indigene of the FCT and that is because the FCT indigenes and the original inhabitants were shot changed in the last election due to the whirlwind of Mr. Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections. It was obvious that even the indigenous people voted for Peter Obi but it is no longer like that now. And we all know that even ethnicity and religion played a crucial role during that election.”

However, Hon. Ajiya, is not of the popular opinion that the ongoing projects that sprang across the FCT locality are political but a continuation of the dividends of democracy to the people.

“For instance, the AMAC Chairman came from the opposition and he has always carried out the job. He has opened so many new villages that people never thought of before. And as someone who came from the opposition, he has no reason not to perform because there are lots of demands from the local people who need water, roads, electricity and what have you. So I don’t think it is superficial because the procurement processes were done earlier than now. So the project did not just begin today which made some people see the deployment of equipment and believe that it all started at political period, no it has been a process”.

On the chances of APC, he said, if there is any political party that would challenge the APC, it is the APC itself. And let me say that politics is not all about personal. It’s all about winning the hearts of the people. From what we have seen, the party leadership, has shown indegenes of FCT that they are important in the national developmental projects.

“We have felt the presence of Government during this first tenure irrespective of what people say about the Minister he has shown capacity to a large extent. Politics being what it is, you don’t expect everyone to like you. So Wike’s issue is just as ordinary as what you and I can experience or have experienced.

On the eradication of crimes and criminality in the FCT, he said that crimes grow together with any emerging society and takes efforts to get rid of “There is no society where crimes don’t exist. But what I can say , is that with the fight against the menace, this present administration I am sure, is doing everything possible to bring it to its lowest ebb and if possible end it.

Meanwhile, Honourable Stephen Ajiya, has said that the present leadership is keen on ensuring that FCT is granted statehood which the aim of enjoying other opportunities being enjoyed by the other 36 states of the federation. He also pointed out that the choice of appointees into public service in the FCT, constitutionally should be done through election not appointment.

“For instance, the FCT should have an elective procedure where those who represent them emerge. The FCT should have an elective government. And I suppose that the amendment of the constitution should provide for a Mayoral position and also create room for the election of mandate Secretaries who can represent their people in each sector of the State. As it is today, those who represent the people are political jobbers from different states, ethnic backgrounds, and those who know little or nothing about the FCT. You can imagine someone who never stayed in the FCT all his or her life appointed to take over the job of Education Secretary, just because he is a member of the ruling Party? Some were appointed to be Mandate Secretaries for Agriculture even when they know nothing about farmlands in the FCT. It is just so absurd. So I believe so strongly that this present team can do well to converse for a constitutional amendment, and that would give room for elective positions for indigenes of FCT”, He lamented. (The Sun)