The Chairman- elect of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Christopher Maikalangu, has pledged to devote 80 per cent of his administration’s attention to rural communities.
Speaking to journalists shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, Maikalangu described the moment as the “final bus stop” of the electoral process and expressed gratitude to residents for renewing his mandate.
“I feel better, I feel good. Just the way everyone sitting here is happy. Today is the final day. We have gotten our Certificate of Return, and we give God the glory because this is the last bus stop,” he said.
“We went out, we campaigned, we solicited votes from the people, and they gave us their mandate. Here we are today with our Certificate of Return, so we give God the glory.”
On his priorities for the new term, the AMAC chairman said grassroots development would remain central to his administration.
“Anytime you talk about local government, you are talking about local people. I am going to give the rural areas 80 per cent because most of my activities dwell in the rural areas,” he stated.
He promised to expand infrastructure, education and other social amenities across communities, noting that development would be spread across wards based on their peculiar needs.
“Some areas need more infrastructure. If you talk about Kabusa Ward, for example, it is one of the largest wards with many rural communities that need government attention. You have to spread resources to schools here, infrastructure there, so that everybody feels the impact,” he explained.
Maikalangu also extended a hand of fellowship to his political opponents, urging them to join hands with him to move the council forward.
“In any contest, only one person will emerge. I have performed, and the people have given me a second chance. I need them. Whatever ideas they have, let us bring them together and move AMAC forward,” he said.“We were never enemies. You will never see me insulting my opponents. We are all political friends. Everybody is my friend.”
Also speaking, Vice Chairman-elect Yusuf Nadabo, described the day as joyous and assured residents of continuity in governance.
According to him, the administration would focus on people-oriented projects tailored to the specific needs of each ward.
“In some wards, it is water; in others, it is education or infrastructure. Because it is local, it will be people-oriented. We will operate an open-door policy so citizens can see what we are doing and what resources are available,” Nadabo added.
In his remarks, the FCT INEC Commissioner, Aminu Idris, congratulated the chairman and other elected officials, describing the Area Council elections of 21st March, 2026, as peaceful and successful.
He urged the newly elected council leadership to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate by delivering inclusive and transparent governance at the grassroots.
Idris reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to credible elections in the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that the commission would continue to strengthen democratic processes at the area council level.