The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented certificates of return to the newly re-elected Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, and his Vice, Mohammed Nadabo. The certificates were also given to the six area council chairmen and their deputies, as well as 62 councilors who won the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Formal Conclusion of Electoral Process

The FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Malam Aminu Idris, presented the certificates at the commission’s office, calling the exercise the formal conclusion of a successful and transparent electoral process. He described the event as a critical step in the democratic cycle, emphasizing that the results reflected the will of the people.

Idris expressed his congratulations to the newly elected officials and urged them to see their mandates as a call to duty. ‘I wish to congratulate all of you for your success at the polls. I urge you to see your mandates as a call to duty to the people,’ he said. He also thanked the Nigeria Police Force and political parties for their role in ensuring a free and fair election.

Maikalangu’s Developmental Commitments

Speaking to newsmen shortly after receiving his certificate, Maikalangu expressed gratitude to God and the electorate, calling the day the ‘final bus stop’ of the election cycle. The re-elected chairman pledged to sustain his developmental initiatives, promising to allocate 80 per cent of his administration’s projects and programmes to rural communities.

‘Anytime you talk about local government, you are talking about local people. As usual, I am going to give the rural areas 80 per cent because most of my activities dwell there,’ Maikalangu said. He emphasized that his administration would prioritize the needs of rural communities, which he described as the backbone of the council’s activities.

Maikalangu also acknowledged the specific needs of different wards within the FCT, noting that infrastructure development would be tailored to each ward’s peculiarities. He cited Kabusa and Garki as areas requiring specific government attention due to their size and unique challenges.

He extended an invitation to his political opponents to collaborate with his administration, saying, ‘We were not enemies from the beginning. I don’t insult my rivals; we are all political friends. Let them come and join us so that whatever ideas they have, we can move AMAC forward together.’

Vice Chairman’s People-Oriented Approach

Mohammed Nadabo, the Vice Chairman-elect, assured residents of an ‘open-door policy,’ stating that the administration would remain people-oriented. He said the new administration would address the diverse needs of different wards, such as water, education, and infrastructure, based on the resources available.

‘In some wards, they may need water; in others, it is education or infrastructure. We understand the peculiarities, and we will operate in tandem with what is available at our disposal so that we do not create a questionable impression in the minds of our citizens,’ Nadabo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly elected officials are expected to be sworn in soon. Their swearing-in will mark the official beginning of their terms and the implementation of their development plans.

The February 21 elections were the first of their kind in the FCT, with the Area Councils being restructured to better serve the growing population and administrative needs of the capital. Similar elections were held in 2023, but the 2026 elections saw increased voter participation and a more simplified process.

Analysts have noted that the success of the elections has set a precedent for local government elections across the country. ‘This election demonstrates that with proper organization and cooperation from all stakeholders, local elections can be conducted transparently,’ said one political analyst. ‘It is a model that other states can follow.’

With the swearing-in expected to take place in the coming days, the focus now shifts to the implementation of the new administration’s promises. The AMAC has a critical role to play in addressing the needs of the FCT’s residents, particularly in infrastructure and service delivery.