APGA confident of AMAC win, raises voter intimidation alarm

2026-02-18 - 15:36

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed confidence in clinching the chairmanship seat of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections, citing strong grassroots support and a reform-focused agenda. Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, APGA National Secretary Ibrahim Mani said the party was fully mobilized across the FCT and prepared to “capture political power” in AMAC. “Our candidate has worked tirelessly across almost every nook and corner of the council area,” Mani said, adding that APGA would not allow the mandate of the people to be undermined. APGA’s AMAC chairmanship candidate, Comrade Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, who also serves as the party’s National Youth Leader, unveiled a “SMART AMAC” agenda — Social welfare and security, Modern governance, Accountability, Rural-inclusive governance, and Technology-driven administration — aimed at transforming the council. Chukwu promised free medical care for pregnant women, free basic education, skills acquisition programs, and improved welfare for teachers, including salary arrears and increments. He criticized the current state of AMAC, describing it as a “glorified village” with dilapidated schools, poor healthcare, bad roads, and widespread refuse dumps. “The kind of revenue coming into AMAC is more than what some two states receive combined, yet much of it ends up in private pockets. We are coming to ensure those funds work for the masses,” Chukwu said. APGA also raised concerns over alleged voter intimidation, claiming that a traditional leader in one community warned residents against voting for a particular party. Chukwu said the matter would be reported to security agencies but downplayed its potential impact, describing the threats as “empty.” The party expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the council poll as a “litmus test” ahead of the 2027 general elections. “The people are tired of bad governance. APGA presents the best alternative, and that is what we need to win,” Chukwu added.