The Social Democratic Party (SDP) senatorial candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olarewaju Osho, has pledged to promote food sufficiency in Abuja by harnessing the territory’s vast land resources for agricultural production.
Osho said his vision for the FCT goes beyond infrastructure development, stressing the need for deliberate policies that would improve food production, create jobs and strengthen the economic wellbeing of residents.
Speaking during a roundtable discussion in Abuja on Monday with members of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), the candidate said agriculture would form part of his broader agenda to transform the FCT if elected to the Senate.
He argued that the FCT, with its large expanse of land and diverse communities, has significant potential to produce food for its growing population rather than relying heavily on supplies from other parts of the country.
According to him, his approach would focus on identifying available agricultural land, supporting farmers and creating an environment where agricultural activities can thrive alongside urban development.
Osho, who previously contested the FCT senatorial seat, said his development agenda was captured in his earlier “Aspire++” manifesto, with agriculture listed among the key areas of intervention.
He said the FCT needed a representative who would look beyond conventional politics and develop practical solutions to the challenges confronting residents across the six area councils.
The SDP candidate also criticised what he described as excessive concentration on road construction, arguing that development of the capital must include agriculture, healthcare, employment, youth empowerment, tourism, sports and other sectors.
He said the territory could not achieve sustainable development if its enormous land resources were left underutilised while residents continued to face rising food prices.
Osho said agricultural development could also provide employment opportunities for young people and encourage residents in rural communities to remain economically productive.
He further pledged to use his legislative position to promote policies and programmes that would strengthen food production, improve access to agricultural support and encourage collaboration between the FCT administration and local communities.
The candidate said effective representation should involve collaboration with the executive, legislation, engagement with citizens and oversight of government programmes.
He promised to regularly engage residents across the six area councils to identify their needs and ensure that government interventions reflect the realities on the ground.
According to him, Abuja has the resources and human capacity to become a model of food security and sustainable urban development if its land is properly planned and utilised.
He urged FCT residents to support candidates with clear development plans, saying the territory needs a new approach to governance capable of improving the quality of life of its residents.
