Taiwo POPOOLA, Olaleye IDOWU
As the day winds down, saturday february 21, 2025, comes alive with the electorate in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, filing out to elect chairmen of area councils, as well as councillors.
The polls present an opportunity to test the strength of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, powered by a coalition of major opposition politicians in Nigeria.
The elections will be held in various locations across Abuja, including Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Candidates of the major parties, ADC, the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have been soliciting for votes in the past three weeks.https://urbanexpresslive.com/threat-letter-fear-grips-ngaski-inhabitants-as-suspected-terrorist-plans-attack/
For the ADC, prominent figures such as Mr Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have been all out explaining to residents why they should cast their votes for the party, and not the APC.
Speaking to Urban Express News, the ADC chairmanship candidate for AMAC, Dr Moses Paul, said he was fully prepared to govern if elected, describing his candidacy as the result of years of grassroots engagement.
“Preparation for leadership does not begin a few days before an election. It is built over time through service and sacrifice.
“For years, I have walked these streets and listened to the people. I am fully prepared mentally, structurally and spiritually to serve from day one,” he said.
He described the election as a turning point for AMAC residents seeking accountable governance.
“This election is no longer about me. It is about AMAC deciding it deserves competence, dignity and accountable leadership,” he stated.
When asked about working with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, if he wins the election, Paul stressed the importance of cooperation.
“Leadership is not about ego; it is about responsibility. I will work with every lawful authority in the interest of our people. But my loyalty will always be to the people of AMAC,” he said, adding that his membership of the ADC is based on conviction rather than convenience.
Addressing questions about origin, he stated that service outweighs birthplace.
“Abuja is defined by where you serve. Leadership is about compassion, competence and courage. I am willing to give everything required to build a better AMAC,” he said.
Speaking to Newsmen residents across markets and neighbourhoods expressed different opinions and expectations.
Ibrahim Mai-Nasara, a market trader at Bwari market, stated that “we are tired of leaders who come during campaigns and then disappear.”
PATIENCE Ulobi, a provision seller at Dutse market, stated that “I just want someone who knows what they are doing, not somebody that just wants to enter politics for power.”
Nnamdi Kelechi, a small-scale seller, declared: “We need good roads, water and security; we don’t want slogans.”
Aisha Mubi, a hairstylist, had this to say: “I am paying attention to who knows our communities well, no be person wey go just put up posters run comot.” (sic).
For Cletus Onoja, a civil servant: “We don’t want promises again. I am voting for somebody who can do actual work.”
The FCT police command had announced a 12-hour restriction on movement
across Abuja from 6 am to 6 pm to ensure the smooth running of the election.
Meanwhile, in the penultimate week, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said he would support only candidates who support President Bola Tinubu’s vision, irrespective of political party.
Wike, who has been campaigning for the APC candidates, made the statement in Abuja. He is still a member of the PDP.
While stating that he owed nobody any apology, the Minister said: “We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on February 21, and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.
“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate who is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology for my stand.”
Wike’s strategies have led to the collapse of the PDP campaign into that of the APC in two area councils.
Days ago, the PDP chairmanship candidate for Bwari, Julius Adamu, announced that he had stepped down for the APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa.
And then on Thursday, the PDP candidate for AMAC, Hon. Zadna Dantani, also announced that he was withdrawing from the race for his APC counterpart, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.
