Moses Paul, popularly referred to as Dr. Mo, has been formally elected as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for chairmanship of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Nigeria’s capital city’s largest local government jurisdiction. His selection, announced during a rally at the ADC Secretariat in Garki, sets the stage for a high-stakes contest in the upcoming council elections, with Paul promising to upend what he described as systemic neglect and failed governance.

Addressing a mix of supporters, civil society groups, and youth representatives, Paul framed his campaign as a grassroots-driven overhaul of public services. “AMAC is broken, and together, we must fix it,” he declared, dismissing traditional political patronage systems. “I am not here to warm a seat or serve godfathers.” His remarks, met with sustained applause, emphasized a shift toward community-centric leadership after weeks of consultations across AMAC’s 12 wards, including Karu, Kabusa, and Jikwoyi.

Central to his platform is a pledge to revitalize crumbling infrastructure, particularly schools and healthcare facilities, which he argued have suffered from chronic underinvestment. Titled The Mandate of the People, The Moment for Change, his acceptance speech outlined plans to establish skill development centers in every ward and ensure functional primary education. “This is a movement of conscience—not just another campaign,” he asserted, positioning the election as a “referendum on neglect.”

Paul’s rhetoric targeted disillusioned voters, urging youth and women to mobilize ahead of the polls. He appealed directly to residents to “register, organize, and defend their votes,” while challenging rival candidates to focus on policy debates rather than personal attacks. “Let the people decide freely,” he said, calling for civility in the race. His campaign also pressed Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, to ensure impartiality, with appeals for civil society and media oversight to safeguard the process’s credibility.

Critics of AMAC’s outgoing administration have long cited mismanagement of resources and deteriorating public amenities, themes Paul amplified in his critique. Markets, health centers, and educational institutions in the council area—home to over 1.3 million residents—reportedly struggle with inadequate funding and irregular maintenance, issues the ADC candidate vowed to prioritize.

The ADC, a rising opposition party in Nigeria’s local politics, has sought to position itself as an alternative to dominant parties, leveraging dissatisfaction with governance gaps. Paul’s nomination underscores this strategy, emphasizing transparency and citizen participation. He concluded his speech with a rallying cry: “AMAC’s revival begins when its people choose to believe again.”

With elections yet to be scheduled, Paul’s campaign faces the dual challenge of consolidating support across AMAC’s diverse neighborhoods and translating civic optimism into electoral gains. Observers note that his ability to address youth unemployment and infrastructure decay may determine whether the call for “change” resonates beyond political rallies.