Ahead of FCT Poll, opposition figure blames Nigeria’s woes on ‘bad leadership’
ABUJA — As the Federal Capital Territory prepares for local government elections on Saturday, a prominent opposition figure has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, declaring that poor governance is Nigeria’s most pressing challenge.
Prince Adewole Adebayo, a former presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), made the remarks during an event in Abuja on Thursday. He contended that mismanagement under the current government has wasted national resources over the past two years.
“The biggest mistake in Nigeria today is Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Adebayo stated. He argued that while mismanagement has squandered resources, it cannot suppress public intelligence or silence citizen voices. He pointed to deteriorating public services, such as neglected hospitals, and claimed foreign contractors often benefit at the expense of local communities.
Adebayo stressed that government must serve the people, calling for protected votes and transparency, specifically advocating for electronic transmission of election results.
His comments come as the SDP ramps up its campaign for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections. National Chairman Professor Abubakar Gombe urged voters to prioritise competence, character, and capacity when electing local leaders.
Adding to the party’s message, Simon Obinna, the SDP candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), described the capital city as a shared civic space. He insisted that AMAC administration must guarantee fairness, equity, and equal opportunity for all residents, regardless of indigene status. “AMAC is not the private estate of any individual or group,” Obinna said.
The elections will determine chairpersons and councilors across the six area councils of the FCT. The campaign has been marked by intense politicking, with parties vying to gain a foothold in the nation’s administrative capital. The outcome is seen as a mid-termlitmus test for the Tinubu administration’s popularity and a potential indicator for future national contests.
Analysts note that voter turnout and the conduct of the polls will be closely watched, with many Nigerians demanding not just a peaceful process but tangible improvements in local governance amidst ongoing economic pressures.
