Tribunal Judgement: AMAC Chairman charges journalists to be truth advocates

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu has charged media practitioners to always advocate for justice to be done in every facet of the society, in order to pave way for inclusive and rapid development.

The chairman explained that journalists as members of the fourth estate of the realm, should make good use of their position to address injustice, which, according him, gave birth to crisis and insecurity in the society today.

Maikalangu, who gave this charge during an interaction with the leadership and some members of the FCT Minister’s Press Corps (FCT-MPC), at the Council’s Secretariat, described AMAC as one of the biggest area councils in the nation, and one of the best in the FCT.

He noted that, “I want you to make good use of your offices and position in the society, to please address injustice, because it is injustice that gave birth to crisis and insecurity in our society today, especially when you are trying to forcefully takeover the peoples’ mandate.

“You have the responsibility to always defend the votes (the peoples’ mandate), by advocating that let justice be done. 

“You will all agree with me that on the 12th of February, 2022 election, election was conducted, and it went smoothly, free and fair.

“I got over 19, 300 votes while my main opponent had 13, 200 plus votes. These figures are right there in the INEC Portal. But, to our surprise, the Tribunal got different figures from nowhere. And from what happened, I believe that the Tribunal was misled. We campaigned and made promises people better lives, which we intend to fulfil, but someone is trying take it from them (people). 

“By now, ICPC should be investigating those who brought fake INEC result to the Tribunal, otherwise, our 2023 general election is  not safe, because is happening here can equally happen next year”, he stressed.

He however, adds that “ensures that during elections, the moment  voting is concluded at the polling units, the result sheet is immediately sent to INEC server. So INEC is moving forward, but some people are trying to take INEC backward, which should not be allowed to stand, as Nigeria must  move forward”.

Earlier, FCT-MPC Chairman, Alh. Hudu Yakubu, who described the AMAC Chairman as a media friendly person, noted that the current administration has so far recognised the media as strategic development partners, which reflects in the appointment of two active Abuja based media practitioners into its cabinet.

Hudu also used the occasion to congratulate Maikalangu as the 19th chairman of the Council, as well as commended him for remaining patient and peaceful, even in the face of challenging political and judicial battle.

 “Thank you for seeing the media practitioners as partners in his quest towards ensuring a better life for the people of the council”, he added.

N.O