Introduction to the Controversy
Some original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory have queried the whereabouts of Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda in view of several challenges facing them. The natives expressed their worry over the continued silence of the former senator and House of Reps member in their agitations for a better deal with the administration.
Background on Senator Aduda
Aduda was first elected into the House of Reps in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007 where he was till 2011 before running for the Senate that year and was there till he was defeated by Senator Ireti Kingibe in the 2023 elections truncating his bid for a third term. A known ally of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Aduda has been seen to be with him at almost every public function including travelling with him outside Abuja.
Allegations of Abandonment
However, some of his Gbagyi people say he has abandoned their cause for personal benefit. “We don’t see him. We don’t hear from him. We don’t even know where he is. See the Gishiri land matter, Senator Aduda was nowhere to be found. He didn’t visit, he didn’t call our chief. Nothing,” an aggrieved youth leader in Gishiri alleged. Another indigene of Waupa stressed that it has become an embarrassment that a four-term lawmaker cannot meet with his people to know what their issues are and pass same to his friend the minister.
Response from Youth Leader
Efforts to speak with the senator proved unsuccessful as several calls to his known mobile lines went unanawered including text messages. However, President of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organization, AOIYEO, Commander Isaac David, insisted that Senator Aduda is now a private citizen and so not obligated to speak for or against demolition of houses of indigenous people. The youth leader, who blamed FCT residents for voting against the ranking senator, pointed that the sitting senator and other prominent indigenes in government have the responsibility to speak for the people.
Call to Action
David also used the opportunity to appeal to the FCT minister to officially assign Senator Aduda as coordinator and intermediary between the FCT Administration and the indigenous people. “If the minister had officially pronounced Aduda as the coordinator of affairs of the 853 communities in the FCT, then government can directly get the feeling of the people. Because right now we are finding it difficult to reach the minister. If there’s a channel that can connect us to the minister and the minister to us, then issues like the controversies recorded in Gishiri would not have happened.”
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Senator Aduda’s silence on the issues affecting the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory highlights the need for effective representation and communication between the government and the people. While Senator Aduda may be a private citizen, his experience and relationship with the FCT Minister could be leveraged to address the concerns of the indigenous people.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda?
A: Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda is a former senator and House of Reps member who represented the Federal Capital Territory. - Q: What are the concerns of the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory?
A: The original inhabitants are concerned about the demolition of their houses and the lack of representation in the government. - Q: Why is Senator Aduda being criticized?
A: Senator Aduda is being criticized for his silence on the issues affecting the original inhabitants and for allegedly abandoning their cause for personal benefit. - Q: What is the proposed solution to the controversy?
A: The President of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organization is calling on the FCT Minister to assign Senator Aduda as coordinator and intermediary between the FCT Administration and the indigenous people.
