By Israel Ebube Ulebor
Former Senate Minority Leader and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Philip Aduda, has expressed optimism about returning to the National Assembly, pledging to support policies that will improve the lives of residents while aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Aduda made the remarks during the celebration of his 57th birthday, on Saturday in Abuja, where political associates, supporters and family members gathered to honour him and reflect on his political journey.
Speaking on developments in the FCT, Aduda said residents were already witnessing the impact of ongoing infrastructure projects under the administration of President Tinubu through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He added that supporters were working towards securing victory for President Tinubu in the next general election.
He said, “My message to the people of FCT is that for us to key into the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, following suit on what Nyeson Nwise, the Honourable Minister of the FCT is doing, indeed our hope in the FCT has been renewed and that’s why there has been alignment and realignment.
“And we are also keying into the Rainbow Coalition to ensure victory for Mr President in January 2027. So we’re going to work hard, we’re going to ensure victory because we can see it, we can feel it and we can touch it.”
Highlighting visible projects across the territory, Aduda said government presence could now be seen in both the city centre and satellite communities.
He said, “The President, Commander in Chief has renewed our hope through the FCT Minister Nyeson Nwise, because you go around the FCT and see what the FCT Minister is doing.
“Not only in the cities but in the satellite towns.”
On his plans if elected back to the Senate, Aduda promised to pursue legislation and interventions that would advance the welfare and prosperity of FCT residents.
He said, “Well, lots of the good governance of the people of the FCT work to ensure that FCT is put on the pedestal of prosperity and ensure that we can pass laws that can better the lives of the people of the FCT.
“And then when necessary, we introduce infrastructural development by lobbying and by talking to government to see that they come to our aid.”
A Long Political Journey
Born on June 13, 1969, in Karu, Abuja, Philip Tanimu Aduda comes from a prominent family in the Federal Capital Territory. He is the son of Rt. Rev. Tanimu Samari Aduda, the Bishop of Gwagwalada, and Chief (Mrs.) Jummai Tanimu Aduda. His brother, Gabriel Aduda, is a Federal Permanent Secretary.
Aduda’s political career began in 1996 when he contested and won election as Councillor of Karu Ward in Abuja. During his time in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), he served in several capacities, including Chairman of Sports, Voluntary Organisation and Union Activities, Supervisory Councillor for Education, Supervisory Councillor for Works, and later Deputy Chairman of AMAC in 1997.
In 2003, he was elected to represent AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, a position he held until 2011. During his tenure in the Green Chamber, he served as Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory.
Ahead of the 2011 general elections, Aduda secured the support of the Federal Capital Integrity Group and several civil society organisations for his Senate bid. Running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he won the FCT Senate seat with 105,562 votes, defeating his closest rival, Musa Tanko Abari of the Congress for Progressive Change, who polled 54,307 votes.
Following his inauguration in the Senate, he was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy.
He was re-elected in 2015 for a second term and was appointed Senate Minority Whip as well as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport. In 2019, Aduda secured a third term in the Senate and served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Downstream Petroleum Sector in the 9th National Assembly.
Associates, Family Celebrate Aduda at 57
Also speaking, Former FCT Senator Isa Maina described Aduda as a dependable political ally whose growth has been inspiring to watch.
Maina added that the large turnout at the celebration demonstrated Aduda’s connection with the people.
Isa said, “Well, maybe I’ll be a bit selfish here, because he’s the first person I met when I moved to FCT to start politics. And I was introduced to him by his mother. I promised her he would not be my younger brother; that promise has not changed. And it will never change.
“For you to see so many people here, it tells you he’s a man of the people.”
His wife, Hauwa Philip Aduda, thanked God for preserving her husband and expressed confidence that he would return to the Senate.
She said, “By the grace of God, that is our desire.
“If God allows it, we pray that he comes back as the next Senator of the Federal Capital Territory.”
She also called on women across the FCT to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in elections.
She said, “Women are the largest voters.
“And I want to advise every woman to please make sure you get your PVC.
A“Your PVC is your weapon. Not for war, but to elect a leader.”
