As the 2023 general elections draw closer, residents of the Federal Capital Territory have been asked to be more discerning in imbibing all the political messages they will be exposed to, even as they take their civic responsibilities very seriously at the polls.
The advice was given by the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, warned that some of the political messages may clearly be intended to cause disaffection among citizens.
Bello, in his independence message to residents over the weekend, asked that hate speeches and divisive rhetoric and actions be called out and their sponsors held to account.
He charged remain steadfast as well as vigilant and be guided by the spirit of oneness and love for country as we head into the election season.
While felicitating with residents on the celebration of the 62nd Independence Anniversary of the country, the minister asked them to reflect and appreciate those things that make us great as a nation.
He reminded them that the greatest assets of the nation, are not its natural resources but, “its people who, though differ by virtue of tribe and tongue, are strongest together and bound by a common destiny, despite our differences.”
Bello used the occasion of our Independence Day celebration to point out that the FCT represents this unity in diversity as the very essence of the nation’s capital, as envisaged by its founding fathers is the creation of a national territory where every Nigerian can call home.
“The FCT, thanks to the millions of our citizens who call her home, now has a generation of Nigerians who were born here, schooled here and are now raising their own children here. This generation of Nigerians, for all intents and purposes, know no other place other than the FCT as their home.
“The dreams of our founding fathers in this regard is therefore coming to pass and it is our duty as residents of the FCT to ensure that this dream is kept alive by being constantly vigilant and resisting all attempts by those who wish to divide us from making any success of their unpatriotic activities.”
The minister pointed that the FCT has witnessed tremendous changes in past seven years including an unprecedented rise in population which has put an inevitable strain on the utilities and facilities across the territory.
“However, with the careful management of resources and proper planning we have not only completed most of the ongoing and abandoned projects but also initiated some new ones which we intend to complete before the end of this administration.
“We have worked hard at ensuring that we improve on our revenue generation drive as the FCT is now the second highest internal revenue generating sub-national in the country. It is our intention to push the FCT to the top spot.
“All our efforts at development of the FCT are geared towards living up to achieving our mandate of building for our country a world class city.”
The minister however stressed on the role of citizens’ in maintaining the shine of Abuja, “as beautiful roads, boulevards and magnificent buildings alone do not make a city which can be described as a living entity that is liable to falling ill and dying, if neglected or maltreated.
“Let us use the occasion of this year’s independence anniversary, to dedicate ourselves to making Abuja the best city she can possibly be by owning and treating it as we would treat our own personal property,” he said.
