The spokesman for Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister has publicly dismissed the electoral prospects of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the ongoing area council elections, as the ruling party’s candidate secured a decisive victory in a key contest.
Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, used social media to critique the ADC, which is associated with prominent opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. In a post on X, Olayinka stated that the party “isn’t winning anything” in the current FCT Area Council Elections. His comment directly links the party’s performance to its national leaders, both of whom were the ADC’s presidential candidate and vice-presidential nominee in the 2023 general election.
The remark coincided with a clear result from the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship race. Christopher Maikalangu, the incumbent from the All Progressives Congress (APC), won his polling unit with 229 votes. His closest competitor, Dr. Moses Paul of the ADC, received only 15 votes. Maikalangu, who voted earlier in the day, expressed satisfaction with the electoral process, telling journalists it was efficient and well-organized.
The FCT area council elections are determining local government leadership across Nigeria’s capital territory. The ADC, while nationally recognized due to its 2023 presidential ticket, has been contesting these subnational polls separately from the larger opposition coalition. Maikalangu’s significant margin of victory in his unit underscores the APC’s current strength in the FCT’s municipal governance, a position it has held for several terms.
The results from AMAC are part of a broader collation process for all area councils in the territory. While Olayinka’s comments reflect the ruling party’s confidence, the final overall outcomes for each council will be confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The performance of the ADC, led locally by candidates like Paul, is being closely observed as an indicator of the party’s organizational strength outside of the presidential election cycle.
The elections conclude a critical phase of Nigeria’s off-cycle local government polls. The outcomes will shape administrative and developmental priorities in Abuja’s various districts for the next four years. The ADC’s ability to compete effectively in the FCT remains a point of political analysis following these contests.
