The Executive Council (EXCO) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has congratulated Honourable Christopher Zakka Maikalangu on his election as Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), reaffirming its commitment to professional and development-focused reportage in the Federal Capital Territory.
The NUJ delegation, led by the Vice Chairman of Council, Comrade Yahaya Ndambabo, who represented the Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman-elect in Abuja . The Chairman was unavoidably absent due to an urgent official engagement.
Speaking during the visit, Comrade Ndambabo described Maikalangu’s victory in the recently concluded municipal council elections as well deserved, noting that it reflected public confidence in his performance during his first tenure. He commended the Chairman-elect’s infrastructural strides, particularly in Sabon Lugbe and other communities within AMAC, which he said had positively impacted residents at the grassroots.
He stated that the NUJ FCT Council not only reported the election outcomes but also monitored the process across AMAC and the five other area councils in the FCT, in line with its mandate to promote credible journalism, transparency and democratic accountability.
The Vice Chairman urged the Chairman-elect to consolidate on the gains of his first term and sustain people-oriented governance. He also reiterated the Council’s readiness to continue working collaboratively with the AMAC administration to ensure accurate, balanced and development-driven media coverage of its activities.
In his response, Honourable Maikalangu expressed appreciation to the NUJ leadership for the visit and for the consistent media support he has received since assuming office. He dismissed allegations of electoral malpractice raised by some opponents, maintaining that his re-election was the result of widespread grassroots support.
According to him, politics is essentially local, and the decisive votes came from communities where tangible infrastructural projects had been executed during his first tenure. He said the strong turnout in such areas underscored the electorate’s endorsement of his leadership.
The Chairman-elect also attributed his victory to the unity and collective effort of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that party stakeholders worked cohesively to secure success at the polls. Drawing from his experience as a former councillor, he affirmed his understanding of the terrain and pledged to deepen inclusive development across AMAC in his second term.
The visit highlights the NUJ FCT Council’s continued commitment to strengthening democratic governance and supporting initiatives that advance sustainable development in the nation’s capital.