APC's Christopher Maikalangu Secures Victory in 2026 AMAC Chairmanship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Christopher Maikalangu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the elected chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) following the 2026 Federal Capital Territory election. The announcement comes after a closely monitored political contest that saw Maikalangu secure a decisive victory over his closest rival, Moses Paul of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who is a notable ally of former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Election Results and Voter Turnout
According to the official declaration made by the collation officer for AMAC, Professor Andrew Abue, Maikalangu received 40,295 votes out of the total valid votes of 62,861. This represents a significant majority in the election that featured candidates from twelve different political parties. The total number of votes cast in the election was recorded at 65,197, with 2,336 votes rejected as invalid.
Professor Abue provided detailed statistics showing that AMAC had 837,338 registered voters, with 65,676 voters accredited to participate in the election. The voter turnout figures indicate that while the election was competitive among those who participated, a substantial portion of registered voters did not exercise their franchise in this particular contest.
Political Landscape and Key Candidates
The election results revealed a clear victory for the APC candidate, with Moses Paul of the ADC finishing in second place with 12,109 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Zadna Dantani, who had previously withdrawn from the contest in favor of Maikalangu following intervention by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, still received 3,398 votes from voters who cast their ballots before his withdrawal.
Other notable results from the election include:
- Jibrin Alhassan of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) - 1,694 votes
- Simon Obinna of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) - 2,185 votes
- Eze Chukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) - 1,111 votes
- Agbon Vaniah of the Accord Party - 403 votes
The complete list of candidates and their vote totals demonstrates the diverse political landscape within the Federal Capital Territory, with multiple parties competing for influence in the area council elections.
Political Significance and Context
This election victory represents a significant political achievement for the APC in maintaining control of the Abuja Municipal Area Council. Christopher Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, successfully defended his position against challengers from multiple opposition parties. The election was particularly noteworthy due to the participation of Moses Paul, a prominent social activist and close associate of Peter Obi, whose candidacy brought additional attention to the contest.
The outcome also highlights the continued influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in the political dynamics of the Federal Capital Territory. Maikalangu is widely regarded as the minister's preferred candidate, and the withdrawal of the PDP candidate in his favor further solidified his path to victory.
Professor Andrew Abue, in his official declaration statement, confirmed that "Maikalangu of the APC, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected." This formal declaration by INEC brings closure to the electoral process and establishes the political leadership for AMAC for the coming term.
The 2026 FCT area council elections have drawn considerable attention as indicators of political sentiment in Nigeria's capital territory, with this particular contest serving as a barometer of party strength and voter preferences in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
