SDP crisis not threat to my ambition ― FCT Senatorial candidate

A Senatorial candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Johnson Somadina Anene, has said that the crisis rocking the party will not affect his chances of winning the election on Saturday.

Anene, while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja said he was popular with the people based on his antecedent as a philanthropist and stand with the people of FCT.

SDP had been enmeshed in controversy over who becomes its Presidential candidate between the choice of Professor Jerry Gana and Donald Duke. The latest was the division of the party following adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari by a faction of the party.

But Anene said the crisis was a blessing in disguise, saying this has made the party more popular.

He reiterated his commitment to create jobs and empower youths in FCT if elected into the Senate in the forthcoming election.

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He said he was determined to win the election to give the FCT residents and natives quality leadership and effective representation at the National Assembly.

He said having lived in FCT for the last 28 years with over 85 per cent of his business concerns in Abuja, he was in the best position to frontally address some of the challenges faced by the residents of the city.

He also noted that the marginalisation of the FCT natives would also be addressed through proper legislation to give the natives sense of belonging, in terms of ensuring the Senatorial seat is expanded to three, the creation of mayoral seat and provision of amenities in the municipal councils.

The SDP Senatorial candidate, attributed the growing insecurity in FCT to lack of jobs for the youth, saying as a businessman, who work with different stakeholders to create job opportunities for the teeming youth whom he said because of indulging in nefarious activities.

He also pledged to ensure immediate take-off of the proposed University of Science and Technology, Abajir, Abuja, stressing that this would open more window of opportunities for both the residents and natives to realise their dreams of acquiring university education.

He said it was unfortunate that most of the immediate villages around the capital city do not have electricity, potable water, access roads among others.

He, therefore, urged the residents and natives of Abuja to not only come out en masse to not only vote him but ensure that their votes count.