FCT poll: Wike endorses APC flagbearer, sidelines PDP

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown his weight behind Christopher Maikalangu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the February 2026 Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election.

This comes shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially cleared political parties to kick off campaigns for the upcoming polls.

Maikalangu, who currently serves as the incumbent AMAC chairman, secured the APC ticket in the party’s June 26, 2025, primaries, where he polled 51 votes to emerge as flagbearer.

Speaking on Monday during the flag-off of road projects linking Tunga Madaki and eight other communities to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Wike urged residents to rally behind Maikalangu.

He said: “Now that INEC has said area councils can go and campaign officially, you all know where we’re heading to.”

“My dear people of Tunga Madaki, I have handed over Maikalangu to you. So that, when the election will be held in February, by June, Mr President will be here to inaugurate this road, and then we will all dance, and dance, and then Mr Maikalangu will come and do the needful after the election.”

Wike revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved full compensation for communities affected by the construction of the airport’s second runway.

He explained that the road projects were part of the demands made by the residents in exchange for land released for the project.

“One of the things that the communities asked for was that they have to be connected, they have to be linked up with roads. It is quite unfair that they are releasing their land for a second runway, but yet they have no access to even go to the airport.”

“It does not make sense. Mr President said, whatever the settlement asks for, give it to them.”

“Today, the 29th of September 2025, we are here to the glory of God and to fulfil the promise made by Mr President to the people of Tunga Madaki settlement,” he said.

The minister assured that the road project would be completed by June 2026, adding that its impact would transform the communities.

He described Tinubu’s administration as a “listening government that cares for the people.”