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ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Philip Tenimu Aduda, has vowed to return to the National Assembly in 2027 and renew efforts to secure greater democratic representation and stronger governance structures for residents of the nation’s capital.
Aduda, who spoke through the Director of Aduda Metre, a campaign support group, Hon. Stephen Abraham Ajiya, said his return to the Senate would provide an opportunity to revive what he described as critical constitutional and legislative reforms capable of deepening democracy in the FCT.
Ajiya said the time had come for residents of the Federal Capital Territory to have a legislative arm and a governance structure that would give them greater control over their affairs, including consideration of a mayoral system.
“The time has come for residents of the FCT to have a legislative arm, which only Senator Philip Aduda can help push through legislation,” Ajiya said.
He argued that the absence of elected state-level legislators for the FCT had created a democratic gap, insisting that residents deserved stronger representation in decisions affecting their communities.
“Yes, every Nigerian has seen it, and even the blind can see that, for the past four years, the FCT appears to have lacked effective senatorial representation. If this continues, the FCT may continue to miss opportunities to advance its constitutional and democratic aspirations,” he said.
Ajiya also cited the constitutional position of the FCT and the 2023 Supreme Court judgment on the status of the Federal Capital Territory in presidential elections, particularly the interpretation of Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, the constitutional framework governing the FCT provides room for lawmakers to pursue reforms aimed at expanding democratic participation and improving governance in the nation’s capital.
“Everything surrounding the existence and administration of the FCT is grounded in the Constitution, and through legislation, we can pursue whatever reforms are necessary,” he said.
“But the fundamental issue is that we do not legislate for ourselves through elected representatives at the local level in the same way other states do. The National Assembly legislates for the FCT, and this creates a democratic deficit that deserves serious attention.”
He maintained that addressing the democratic deficit would require appropriate constitutional and legislative processes, but stressed that effective representation in the National Assembly would be crucial to driving the process.
Ajiya said Aduda’s return to the Senate could therefore strengthen advocacy for a governance arrangement that would provide FCT residents with wider democratic participation and potentially introduce a mayoral system alongside other representative structures.
Meanwhile, the campaign organisation disclosed plans to intensify grassroots mobilisation across the six Area Councils of the FCT ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ajiya said the campaign would target residents who, according to him, had become dissatisfied with the quality of political representation in recent years.
He urged voters to reflect on the outcome of the 2023 elections and make informed choices in 2027 based on competence, experience, capacity and proven service.
“We will take our message to every part of the FCT. We want residents to understand the importance of making informed choices in 2027 and to avoid repeating the mistakes of 2023,” he said.
Ajiya added that the senatorial election should be treated as a local contest requiring voters to scrutinise the antecedents and capacity of candidates before casting their ballots.
“Politics is local, and when it comes to the senatorial seat, the choice of a candidate whose capabilities and capacity have been tested and whose experience is known should be given serious consideration,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Aduda’s previous experience in the Senate and his service to the FCT would give him a strong advantage as he seeks to reclaim the senatorial seat in 2027.
The campaign group said it would continue engaging stakeholders and residents across the FCT as it builds momentum for Aduda’s return to the Red Chamber and renews the push for enhanced democratic representation in the Federal Capital Territory.
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