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… Discloses Bold Reform Agenda for Abuja
ABUJA : As the race to the 2027 general elections gather momentum, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has unveiled former APC chieftain and academic, Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia, as its candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate seat.
Rolling out an ambitious reform agenda aimed at addressing governance gaps, ending multiple taxation and strengthening democratic institutions in the nation’s capital.
At the unveiling in Abuja, ZLP National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, declared that the party was fully behind Asikhia’s senatorial bid, expressing confidence that the ZLP would emerge as a formidable force in the FCT and challenge the dominance of established political parties.
Nwanyanwu formally presented Asikhia as the party’s standard-bearer for the FCT Senate race and dismissed suggestions that the ruling APC had become politically unbeatable, insisting that electoral outcomes would ultimately be determined by voters rather than political office holders.
The endorsement came as Asikhia unveiled a comprehensive legislative blueprint focused on improving governance in the FCT, clarifying institutional responsibilities, easing the burden of multiple taxation and defending democratic values against what he described as growing judicial interference in political affairs.
Nwanyanwu said the ZLP remains one of the few political parties free of internal crises because of its commitment to constitutionalism, internal democracy and the rule of law.
“We did our primaries and there is no single complaint because we believe in the rule of law and obeying our constitution,” he said.
Describing Asikhia as a man of integrity and proven character, the party chairman expressed confidence that FCT residents would embrace a candidate capable of effectively representing their interests in the National Assembly.
“He is an honourable man. He has character, integrity and content. He is somebody we can trust,” Nwanyanwu stated.
The ZLP leader also criticised efforts to portray the APC as invincible ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that the movement of governors into the ruling party does not automatically translate into popular support among Nigerians.
“If you have 32 governors, why should you be afraid of a general election? If what Nigerians are being offered is a coronation instead of a contest, then they should be told,” he said.
According to him, many defecting governors failed to carry their supporters along, stressing that the electorate would have the final say at the polls.
Asikhia, meanwhile, said one of the major challenges confronting FCT residents is the persistent ambiguity surrounding governance and accountability structures in the territory.
“The people of the FCT appear close to power because the Presidency is here, but in reality many are far removed from governance. Citizens often do not know whether their concerns should be directed to the FCT Minister, Area Councils or their elected senator. This confusion has weakened accountability and delayed solutions to pressing problems,” he said.
To address the challenge, he pledged to establish a Senatorial Liaison Office that would serve as a bridge between residents and government institutions across the six Area Councils.
The professor also identified multiple taxation as a major economic burden on residents and businesses, citing instances where property owners pay tenement rates to Area Councils while also paying ground rents to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
“Residents should not be subjected to double taxation because of administrative overlaps. We need a legal framework that removes ambiguity and guarantees fairness for citizens and businesses alike,” he said.
Asikhia further promised to sponsor legislation defining the constitutional responsibilities of the FCT Senator and the FCT Minister to improve governance and strengthen accountability.
“Good governance thrives when roles are properly defined. The people deserve to know who is responsible for what and where accountability begins and ends,” he added.
Beyond governance reforms, the ZLP candidate expressed concern over legal disputes involving political parties, warning that excessive judicial intervention in political contests could undermine democratic stability and narrow the nation’s political space.
“The current political era has witnessed developments that should concern every democrat. Democracy flourishes when political competition is determined by the people and not by procedural manoeuvres designed to narrow the political space,” he said.
He maintained that constitutional safeguards governing the deregistration of political parties must be strictly observed and warned against actions capable of eroding public confidence in democratic institutions.
“No one is above the law, including public officials and judicial officers. The integrity of the courts must be preserved, and judicial processes must never be perceived as instruments for achieving political outcomes,” he stated.
While reaffirming confidence in the judiciary, Asikhia called for the protection of constitutionalism, due process and multiparty democracy ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Political parties should be allowed to compete freely, candidates should be subjected to lawful electoral processes, and the electorate should determine who governs them through credible elections,” he said.
