SDP FCT senatorial candidate Osho promises to ‘Fix FCT’
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SDP FCT senatorial candidate Osho promises to ‘Fix FCT’
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Social Democratic Party, SDP senatorial candidate for the Federal Capital Territory, Olanrewaju Osho, has promised to transform the nation’s capital through effective representation, legislation, oversight and sustained engagement with residents.
Osho made the pledge on Monday during a roundtable discussion with members of the Association of Corporate Online Editors, ACOE at their office in Abuja.
The candidate said his decision to contest the election was not driven by a desire for political office but by his determination to address the longstanding developmental challenges confronting residents of the FCT.
He said his campaign, tagged “Fix FCT,” was designed to provide practical solutions to problems affecting residents across the six area councils.
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According to Osho, the FCT requires a senator who understands the territory’s size and responsibilities and is prepared to approach the position with a mindset similar to that of a governor.
He noted that unlike states, the FCT does not have an elected governor or legislature, making the senator representing the territory particularly important in articulating the interests and concerns of its residents.
Osho said his legislative agenda would focus on four key areas: representation, legislation, engagement and oversight.
He promised to maintain regular interaction with residents, saying he would visit all six area councils at least twice annually to listen to their concerns and monitor the implementation of development projects.
The SDP candidate stressed that effective representation should go beyond attending sittings at the National Assembly, arguing that elected representatives must inspect public infrastructure and ensure that government projects are executed according to specifications and serve their intended purposes.
Osho also criticised what he described as the absence of a comprehensive development structure in the FCT, noting that governance should not be reduced to road construction alone.
He identified healthcare, employment, youth development, women empowerment, tourism, sports and support for the elderly as sectors requiring greater attention.
The candidate further called for a change in the perception that only wealthy individuals could successfully contest elections or provide effective leadership.
Osho said he was not a businessman and had spent most of his career in public service and the media, stressing that leadership should be measured by competence, integrity and the capacity to solve problems rather than personal wealth.
He said his commitment to public service was also demonstrated through his road safety advocacy initiative, Safety Beyond Borders, which he established following the death of a colleague in a road accident.
According to him, the experience convinced him that individuals must contribute to finding solutions to societal problems.
Osho disclosed that he and his wife had invested substantially in road safety advocacy since the establishment of the organisation.
On electricity, he said a senator could contribute to addressing the power crisis through legislation, oversight and support for policies aimed at increasing electricity generation and distribution.
He advocated greater adoption of renewable energy, particularly solar power, by households and businesses capable of using alternative sources, while proposing incentives, including tax rebates, to encourage the transition.
Osho also pledged to work with the FCT Minister and other government officials, regardless of political differences, saying personal disagreements should not be allowed to undermine development.
He said, “My priority would be to ensure that government resources allocated to the territory were properly utilised for the benefit of residents.
“FCT residents should look beyond political parties and assess candidates based on their records, competence and capacity to deliver results.”
The candidate said his ultimate ambition was to build a people-driven movement capable of transforming the FCT and giving residents a stronger voice in governance.
