AMAC Polls: Civil Group Hails Maikalangu’s Re-election, Decries Voter Apathy

A civil society organisation, the Young People’s Initiative for Credible Leadership, has applauded the re-election of Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu as Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

LEADERSHIP reports that Maikalangu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the AMAC chairmanship in last Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The incumbent chairman of AMAC garnered 40,295 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr. Paul Moses of the African Democratic Congress, who scored 12,109 votes.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Founder and Executive Director of the group, Abdulwahab Ekekhide, described the outcome of the just-concluded FCT Area Council elections as largely peaceful and credible.
According to him, the organisation monitored activities before, during and after the polls in collaboration with other civil society partners and independent observers, hence its position.

“As an organisation that prioritises electoral integrity above partisan interests, we observed developments before, during and after the election.
“Our findings reveal that the elections were peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible, with the will of the people prevailing,” Ekekhide said.

He, however, expressed concerns over voter apathy and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify voter reorientation and awareness campaigns ahead of future elections to improve turnout.

“We cannot rule out the issue of low voter participation. There is a clear need for more sensitisation before subsequent elections,” he said.

Ekekhide said Maikalangu’s victory was a reflection of his grassroots connection and people-centred approach to governance.
“His re-election shows that when leaders are connected to the grassroots, they will always earn the support of the people.

“Maikalangu’s people-oriented leadership and development efforts have endeared him to residents. His deep connection with the grassroots, which earned him victory in 2022, has once again proved decisive,” he stated.

The organisation also linked the performance of the APC in the FCT to ongoing infrastructural development initiatives championed by the FCT administration, noting that such efforts may have influenced voting patterns in several councils.

While acknowledging that the FCT remains a politically sophisticated environment, Ekekhide reiterated that the principal challenge during the election was low voter turnout.

He described the 2026 Area Council elections as a possible indicator of political trends ahead of 2027.

“Nigeria’s democracy is still evolving, and it is our collective duty, especially as young leaders, to protect and strengthen it,” he added. “Together, we can make democracy work for national development and the empowerment of our people.”

He concluded by extending goodwill to residents of the Federal Capital Territory and expressing optimism about the continued growth of Nigeria’s democratic process.