By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
The name Phillip Tanimu Aduda is like a currency in the FCT political landscape. He has been in the FCT political arena since 1996 when he contested for councillor for Karu ward, and House of Representatives ticket in 2003 and won. He is a politician that has known what victory at the polls is all about just as he knows what losing election could be. He has had the two sides of the election coin.
An indigene of FCT from Karu, his father is a pastor based in Gwagwalada, while his late mother, Jummai , a grassroots mobiliser and FCT political juggernaut and a woman leader.
Philip is a household name in FCT political calculation.
He was elected twice as a member of the House of Representatives and three times as a Senator, representing FCT in the National Assembly.
Since he joined politics in 2003, he has remained a PDP member and became its minority Chief Whip in the 9th Senate. But he is now contesting as a member of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress.
Aduda must have taken after his mother as he touches lives of residents of Abuja irrespective of tribe or religion. His house is like Mecca of sorts where people with divergent need troops daily.
It is a common saying among the residents that the only thing you need is to meet with Aduda and you will leave his presence joyful. He is a benevolent politician and that is why he has been winning.
He is a Gbagi by tribe, which is a majority tribe in FCT closely followed by the Gwandara, Gade, Koro and of course the settlers like the Igbos, Yoruba and the Hausa/Fulani.
And one thing that has been working for him is that he distributes political patronage to all , not restricting it to Gbagis alone.
This has therefore made him, arguably the most sought after politician in today’s FCT.
The 2027 election is about seven months away and the talks in town are who can beat Aduda in the forthcoming Senate contest.
As expected in any political contest, there are serious contenders and jokers. But anyhow they come, Aduda stands shoulder high for the only Senate ticket for FCT.
At the end of the day, the political lion will tell that he is the king of the political jungle of FCT.
Who is Phillip Tanimu Aduda sef?
Philip Tanimu Aduda was born on 13th June 1969, in Karu, Federal Capital Territory Abuja. He is from the family of Rt. Rev Tanimu Samari Aduda (the Bishop of Gwagwalada), and Chief (Mrs.) Jummai Tanimu Aduda, the president and founder of Grassroots Associations of Nigeria and International Grassroots Association.
Aduda began his political career by running for the office of Councillor of Karu Ward, Abuja in 1996. He ran on a non-party basis and was elected and held various positions in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The chubby dude who is seeking re-election to represent the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate is one of the go-to guys in Abuja that can be relied on to make things happen.
Commanding so much respect from all and sundry, Senator Aduda is one of the few uncontroversial politicians who can count on cross-partisan support whenever they need a bill passed or a project approved. This is because of his amiable disposition and his philosophy that regards politics as a game of creating friends rather than making foes.
It is not all work and no play for the robust senator. He knows how to unwind after a long day’s work. He is a frequent visitor to fun spots in the Abuja metropolis and environs. He’s the toast of the fun-loving crowd who find his approachability and exuberance endearing qualities.
Despite being a Christian, Senator Philip Aduda is a perfect example of the age-old wisdom that merit has no religion. He’s loved by both Christians and Muslims and has scores of chieftaincy titles to show for his popularity at the grassroots. He is out to garner most of the 1.5 million votes in the forthcoming election
Aduda’s focus has remained “infrastructural development” and he promised to sustain the tempo.
Give or take, the coast appears certain for Aduda to return back to the Senate once again with an assurance to expand the scope of his benevolence in service to all and sundry irrespective of tribe or religion
Indeed, Aduda is back again to do what he knows best, touching lives and transforming FCT for the good of all.
*Abdul is Abuja based journalist and wrote in via abduljelil2001@gmail.com