Yuletide: Minister presents candidates for FCT Senate, Reps seats in 2023 polls

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has presented to President Muhammadu Buhari, the various candidates standing for election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for FCT Senate and House of Representatives seats in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

It was learnt that hose introduced were: Hon Zakari Angulu Dobi, running for the sole FCT Senate seat, Hon Abuzarri  Ribadu, who is contesting for the AMAC /Bwari Federal Constituency, and Hon. Abdulrahman Ajiya, the party’s candidate for the Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Abaji Federal Constituency.

Bello, in what is the last Christmas homage visit to President Buhari  at the Presidential villa, also, on behalf of the FCT Administration and residents of the FCT, expressed his appreciation to the President for his support to the FCT Administration over the years.

According to a statement from FCTA’s Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, explained that the visit represented a historic milestone, because over the last two years the Christmas visit to the President could not be held due to COVID -19 restrictions.

It added that the visit was significant,  because it is the last time the Christmas homage will be paid to President Buhari as his tenure will come to an end over the next 5 months.

The statement reads: “ Leading a delegation of senior civil servants,  political, traditional, religious, security and community leaders on the visit, Malam Bello said that the support of Mr President for the FCT was not surprising because constitutionally, as the Governor General of the Federal Capital Territory, the President was also the head of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

“The Minister, similarly thanked God for the opportunity to pay several Christmas visits to the President and prayed for good health, long life and a peaceful life in retirement for President Buhari”.

It further disclosed that President Buhari in his remarks thanked the FCT delegation for the visit and expressed his pleasure at the description of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello as a hardworking, serious minded and honest individual saying that was why he has remained as FCT Minister for so long.

“He also thanked Nigerians for their support over the years and said he looked forward to a life in retirement”, it stated.

Also speaking the Chairman, Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi, said the FCT has enjoyed religious harmony due to the efforts of the President and the FCT Minister.

Adeyemi also commended the President for “his large heartedness even in the face of severe criticism. He equally described the FCT Minister as a workaholic who was extremely transparent and honest in the discharge of his responsibilities”.

In his remarks, the Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Stephen Panya, who represented the CAN President, expressed the Association’s loyalty and support for the President’s efforts in running the affairs of the country.