The Social Democratic Party (SDP) senatorial candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olarewaju Osho, has pledged to harness Abuja’s vast land resources for agricultural production as part of efforts to achieve food sufficiency and improve the economic wellbeing of residents.
Osho made the pledge on Monday in Abuja while speaking at a roundtable discussion with members of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE).
The candidate said his vision for the FCT extended beyond infrastructure development, stressing that deliberate investment in agriculture was necessary to boost food production, create employment opportunities and strengthen the local economy.
According to him, the FCT has significant agricultural potential because of its large expanse of land and diverse communities, which could be leveraged to produce food for its growing population and reduce dependence on supplies from other parts of the country.
He said his proposed approach would involve identifying available agricultural land, supporting farmers and creating an enabling environment for farming to thrive alongside urban development.
Osho, who previously contested the FCT senatorial seat, said agriculture featured prominently in his earlier “Aspire++” manifesto, alongside other key areas of intervention.
He maintained that the FCT needed effective representation that would go beyond conventional politics and focus on practical solutions to challenges confronting residents across the six area councils.
The SDP candidate also faulted what he described as excessive emphasis on road construction as the principal measure of development in Abuja.
He argued that sustainable development of the capital must encompass agriculture, healthcare, employment generation, youth empowerment, tourism, sports and other critical sectors.
“Abuja cannot achieve sustainable development if its enormous land resources remain underutilised while residents continue to grapple with rising food prices,” he said.
Osho further noted that agricultural development could create jobs for young people while enabling residents in rural communities to remain economically productive.
He pledged that, if elected, he would use his legislative position to promote policies and programmes aimed at strengthening food production, improving farmers’ access to support and encouraging greater collaboration between the FCT Administration and communities.
The candidate also promised regular engagement with residents across the six area councils to identify their needs and ensure that government interventions reflected realities on the ground.
He said effective representation involved collaboration with the executive, legislation, citizen engagement and effective oversight of government programmes.
Osho expressed confidence that Abuja could become a model of food security and sustainable urban development if its land and human resources were properly planned and utilised.
He therefore urged FCT residents to support candidates with clear and practical development plans, saying the territory required a new approach to governance capable of delivering tangible improvements in the lives of its residents.
