By News Maker in Abuja
Former Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, has appealed to Ndigbo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to rally behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for the FCT, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda.
Ohuabunwa made the appeal during the recent visit of political parties and their representatives to Ndigbo at the palace of Onyendu Ndigbo, Dr Uche Egenti, in Abuja, where issues concerning the political future and interests of the Igbo community in the nation’s capital were discussed.
The former lawmaker described Aduda as a politician who had maintained a cordial relationship with Ndigbo, stressing that his long-standing association with the Igbo community should be considered as the people make their political choices ahead of the elections.
According to Ohuabunwa, Aduda has been accommodating towards Ndigbo and has contributed to ensuring that members of the community are given opportunities and appointments within the FCT administration.
He also spoke of his personal relationship with the Aduda family, recalling that the candidate’s late father had entrusted his son to him while he was alive and urged him to regard Aduda as his own son. Ohuabunwa said the relationship had remained significant to him.
The former senator therefore called on Ndigbo to support Aduda, describing him as a “good friend and associate” of the Igbo community and urging the people to reciprocate the goodwill he said the candidate had shown towards them over the years.
Ohuabunwa further disclosed that many of his assistants and associates are Ndigbo, stressing that the Igbo community has a significant population in the FCT and should deploy its numerical strength strategically in determining its political representation.
He expressed confidence that Ndigbo would not regret supporting Aduda, urging the community to consider the candidate’s relationship with the people and his alleged commitment to their interests before making their choice.
The former senator also pointed to what he described as efforts by the APC-led administration in the FCT to take the interests of Ndigbo into consideration. He particularly cited developmental projects being undertaken under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in areas populated by Igbo residents and traders.
Ohuabunwa specifically mentioned Saburi, where Igbo traders and other residents live, as well as ongoing work around the Apo Traders area, where Ndigbo constitute a significant part of the trading community. He maintained that such developments should also be taken into account as Ndigbo assess their political options and decide who to support in the forthcoming election.
