Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has promised to mobilize Igbo residents in Abuja to cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming FCT Area Council election.
Kalu, who also acts as the secretary of the APC National Campaign Council for the FCT elections, made this declaration on Friday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, following the formation of the party's national campaign council.
The election is set to take place on February 21 across six area councils within the FCT, including Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali, where positions for chairmanship and councillorship will be contested.
In his remarks to reporters, Kalu noted that the APC plans to utilize inclusive governance and visible development projects to attract votes, particularly from the substantial Igbo population residing in the area.
He expressed that the FCT is a mix of Nigerians from various regions, highlighting the role of Igbo traders, professionals, and investors in the territory's economy.
As an Igbo individual and a Nigerian, Kalu stated, “I am part of this government and a representative of Igbos in leadership. Thus, Igbos can no longer claim to be excluded from the administration.”
He argued that Igbo representation in high levels of President Bola Tinubu's administration illustrates the commitment to inclusion, countering previous assertions of neglect.
Reflecting on the past, Kalu pointed out that there was a lack of Igbo individuals in significant leadership roles during the previous administration, reinforcing that his current position represents a shift towards greater involvement of the South-east in governance.
Beyond identity, Kalu stated that the APC intends to focus its campaign on demonstrable developmental strides across the FCT. He praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his infrastructural projects and grassroots initiatives within the territory, asserting that these accomplishments will be central to the party's campaign narrative.
“These tangible achievements form our campaign tools. We are moving beyond merely using posters and slogans. The facts are evident; the benefits of democracy are visible and experiential,” he remarked.
He acknowledged that previously, the APC faced challenges in elections in Abuja due to insufficient grassroots impact, but he believes that this sentiment has recently changed.
Kalu asserted, “No reasonable person can deny the notable advancements in the FCT today.”
Furthermore, he stated that the campaign council would engage in vigorous grassroots mobilization leading up to the election on February 21, which will include direct outreach initiatives targeting households and businesses within the FCT’s six area councils and its 68 wards.
“We will be present on the streets, reaching out to every household and business, promoting the APC’s message,” he assured.
Expressing optimism about the party's future electoral success, Kalu indicated that the APC aims to overturn previous election defeats in Abuja, reinforcing that Igbo voters, alongside other residents, would lend their support to its candidates.
He declared confidently, “It will no longer be said that the APC lost elections in Abuja. We are prepared to rewrite history.”
Lastly, Kalu mentioned that pro-APC support groups would collaborate with the campaign council to ensure a victory, hinting at the party's readiness to enhance grassroots governance if granted the mandate in the upcoming FCT Area Council elections.
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