FCT Councils Should Avoid Appointing Market Leaders, Says YPP Candidate

The chairmanship aspirant of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the upcoming Abaji Area Council elections, Alhaji Muhammad Angulu Loko, has asserted that local councils should not take part in the selection of market and cattle market leaders.

He contended that such responsibilities are exclusively vested in the Ona of Abaji, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, who is also the leader of the FCT council composed of traditional rulers and other notable leaders in the area councils.

Loko made these comments during a recent visit to the palace of the Ona of Abaji, who additionally holds the position of Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs.

During his visit, Loko sought the monarch's support ahead of the elections scheduled for Saturday.

He remarked that when area councils interfere in these appointments, it undermines the highly respected traditional authority.

Loko committed to ensuring that, if elected, his governance would refrain from meddling in matters that are primarily the domain of the palace.

"We have seen ongoing issues within the leadership of the Abaji central market and the cattle market, which arise from interference by the area council," Loko stated. "I want to assure the palace that if granted the electoral mandate, my administration will not interfere. Rather, the palace will have the authority to appoint its preferred individuals to lead the two markets."

Additionally, the candidate vowed to introduce scholarship programs for students enrolled in various higher education institutions across the nation.

He also promised to address the ongoing issue of water scarcity experienced by residents in the council.

On behalf of the Ona of Abaji, the Agbo of Abaji, Shuaibu Ozi Umoru, expressed a warm welcome to Loko and his campaign group. He noted the palace's contentment that all candidates contesting for the chairmanship are natives of the area.

The monarch emphasized that it is ultimately “the vote of God Almighty” that determines who will become the chairman of the council.

He reiterated that the palace would remain politically neutral and prayed for the divine selection of a leader who will govern with integrity and the fear of God.

The monarch also urged politicians to regard one another as brothers, steering away from divisive politics, and reminded them that "politics will come and go, but relationships will endure."