Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
IBRAHIM Dankwambo, the Governor of Gombe State, and a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has assured indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that he will elevate the status of the nation’s capital to a state with all administrative apparatus in place if elected as Nigerian president.
Dakwambo who also assured the FCT indigenes of ministerial appointment, expansion in representation at the parliament, promised to support the agitation for the creation of more local councils in the FCT.
The presidential hopeful made the pledge in Abuja, when he met with the FCT delegates of PDP ahead of the October 6-7th Port Harcourt national convention.
“We know exactly what our people are asking for. I know the needs of the FCT, if they are asking for extra minister in the FCT, I will support it. I will elevate FCT to the status if a state. I will fly the flag of the party very high and we shall not disappoint you. If you elect me on that day in Port Harcourt, I will accept it. If you see someone better than me and you elect him, I will follow him,” he said
Dankwabo who is one of the 13 presidential aspirants of the party pledged to replicate the transformation he brought to bear in Gombe into all the parts of the country.
He assured that he has the magic to curtail terrorism, adding that he was able to shield the state from the incursions of the Boko Haram sect which ravaged the North East.
Dankwambo stated: “Today insecurity has taken over the country. We have become so disenchanted, people cannot go to farms any longer. For everything they are doing, they are taking Nigeria backward.
He said as a loyal party member that h will remain with the party no matter the result of the convention.
Speaking on behalf of the 36 delegates from FCT, Bitrus Kura who was an former councillor recounted how the indigenes of the FCT are being marginalised.
He added that the political space in the FCT is so narrow that indigenes cannot easily climb political ladder.
Bitrus also explained that “In NEC today, the party said that every delegate will decide for himself whom he or she decides to vote for. FCT delegates are independent minded. FCT delegates will decide independently who they will vote for.
“FCT is stateless, we don’t have a place to call our state. We have only five area councils with our population, we need more. We want you to address the political structure of the FCT,” he said.