By Gami Tadanyigbe
Abuja residents have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to work in synergy with the Senator representing, FCT, Hajia Ireti Kingibe, NOT with the former Senator, Phillip Aduda, whose tenure they noted, elapsed, long ago.
Speaking at a rally held at Tiper Garrage Junction, Kuje, Abuja, a group identified as Concerned Citizens for Good Governance in the FCT, frowned at the manner in which the Minister is visiting Area Councils in the FCT, officially, with an out gone senator, instead of the serving one. They wondered if it was a gender issue but concluded that nothing should prevent the Minister from working with their duely elected representatives particularly, Senator Senator Ireti Kingibe, if progress must be achieved in the FCT. They therefore urged the Minister to close ranks with Senator Kingibe who they said have their mandate and see how they can jointly move FCT forward.
In his address to the teaming audience at the rally, Coordinator of the group, Mr Ogun Hygenius John, said there was need for the Minister to carry the FCT Senator along in his activities in the FCT, explaining that what they mean was that the Minister and the Senator need to work together as a team.
Lamenting the effects of the country’s security and economic challenges on Abuja residents, Leader of Market Women in Kuje, Hellen Eke, noted that such challenges would be easily addressed if the two offices can work together. She explained that the Senator’s input is indispensable whenever decisions that affect residents are being taken. According to her, only the Senator has the power to speak on behalf of Abuja residents.
Women Coordinator of the group, Mrs Anita Obasi said Senator Ireti was elected to change the narratives in the FCT and wondered why the FCT Minister is sidelining her, stressing that all the group is asking for is ‘team work’ “We are demanding that the FCT Minister work hand- in -hand with our Senator, Distinguished Senator Ireti Kingibe” She said.
Other participants at the rally applauded the Senator for her numerous projects, including the palliatives she distributed to people across the FCT, recently, irrespective of party affiliations.They also urged the Minister to recognize Senator Ireti as the Senator of the nation’s capital and work with her accordingly.
A Nollywood Film Maker, Sunday Awoji, spoke to reporters at the side of the event. He affirmed that the purpose of the gathering was to call on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to work with FCT’s representative in the Red Chamber, Senator Kingibe. His words: We are calling on the FCT Minister to please work with our Senator, Ireti Kingibe, because their working together will help us alot. We want them to work together so that FCT issues can be better resolved” He said adding that there is no wisdom in the Minister’s moving around with a former Senator instead of the serving one.
Participants at the rally had placards bearing inscriptions such as: ‘Phillip Aduda is no more our Senator’, ‘For better legislations in the FCT, Abeg, Minister Wike, work with Senator Ireti, not Phillip Aduda’, Why meeting with six Area Councils without our Senator?, ‘P-BAT, Tell FCT Minister to work with women not against Senator Ireti for renewed hope, among others’.