2023: Reps aspirant, Gaza vows to restore FCT’s four slots at Green Chamber, if elected

By Editor

…Promises to build synergy to ensure FCT indigene is appointed Minister
…Says he is right person for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat

An aspirant seeking to represent the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, at the House of Representatives under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Lazarus Gaza, has said his mission to the Green Chamber is to restore the four slots allocated to FCT at the House of Representatives during the aborted third republic.

Dr. Gaza, was a member of the House of Representatives between 1992 and 1993 before they were sent parking followed a palace military coup d’etat by late General Sani Abacha against the then Head of Interim National Government, ING, late Chief Ernest Shonekan on November 17, 1993.

Recall Dr. Gaza had obtained the N10 million APC expression of interest and nomination forms at the International Conference Centre, Abuja to participate at the party’s primary election.

Dr. Gaza, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, lamented the reduction to two the number of FCT’s slots at the Green Chamber since 1993, in the aftermath of the coup, vowing to if elected, build concensus among his colleagues in both chambers of the National Assembly to restore back to the people of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, what belongs to them.

Dr. Gaza, insisted that he was contesting to ensure that the four slots that were given to FCT during the 1992 and 1993, were restored to FCT.

According to him, “During my time when I was elected as first member of the House of Representatives in 1992/93, we were four in number representing the FCT but the number has been reduced to two.

“Why is it like that? Those representing FCT have not been able to win the concensus of the National Assembly to restore the four slots that was formerly for FCT.

“And I’m going to do it this way, I’m going to bring the consensus of my colleagues; members of the National Assembly. I need to synergise with the executive like the minister of FCT, I need to get his backing.

“With this synergy, I believe we will be able to do something rightly. The constitutional benefits and rights the FCT is supposed to get have not been given to us. During my tenure, these constitutional rights will be granted FCT.

“I will make sure that the second tier of government is given to FCT residents. I will also ensure that at least FCT is given a ministerial slot whether it’s an FCT indigene or any Nigerian that is resident in FCT.

“If such a person can be given a ministerial slot, then we would have made progress. I will ensure that the city itself is kept clean. The citizens are supposed to enjoy a clean city.

“The need for decentralisation of development is very important. Development should be decentralised so that the rural areas can develop. Why is it that some ministries can not be moved to the area councils?

” If we do that, the development in the FCT will be faster. The election is about the people and I always been with the people.

” I will ensure that enabling laws are put in place that will diversify, deepen and take care of the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.”
On his chances at the polls, he says he is the right person with the competence and acceptability to represent his people in the Green Chamber in 2023.

He lamented the inability of APC to win the seat since its inception, saying that did not mean the party could not win as one or two things must have been done wrongly.

He said, “And the best thing it to correct the mistake that has been made.

“It’s most likely the candidates that were fielded had not been the right candidates; they may not have been the popular candidates.

“Perhaps, the electorate or the delegates were not happy with the candidate that was brought out to contest the election on the platform of APC.

“This time around, I want to tell the whole world that I’m the right candidate. I have the credentials, I’m competent and I have the overall general acceptability of the electorate cutting across the two political parties not only APC but including PDP.”