The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul, has condemned the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Following the election held across the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday, February 21, 2026, INEC announced the re-election of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Christopher Maikalangu, for AMAC after he polled 40,295 votes. The APC also won four other chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured one.
Reacting to the results in a statement issued on Monday, Paul accused INEC of taking Nigerians for granted and showing blatant disregard for their sensibilities.
“I stand before you today not as a man diminished by the outcome of Saturday’s event, but as a man empowered by a political movement. This movement is not born of convenience but of conviction; it is carried not by power, but by people. It is written not in ink, but in sacrifice.
“Over the past few months, from the streets of Karshi to the bustling markets of Wuse, from the crowded paths of Nyanya to the quiet resilience of Gui, Abuja residents have risen, standing up and expressing their beliefs. For this, I bow my head in gratitude,” he stated.
According to him, what was witnessed in the election was not merely a contest for office but a declaration of dignity by people who refuse to surrender their future.
“I have reviewed the outcome as announced. While I firmly believe, based on our extensive engagement and the overwhelming spirit of our movement, that we earned the sacred mandate of the people, I strongly condemn the declared results, as they do not reflect the true will of the residents of Abuja.
“Among those who voted, many have expressed deep disagreement with the announced outcome due to widespread irregularities. These include the restriction of movement through the imposition of a curfew; the intimidation and attacks on ADC party members by security agencies; massive vote buying across several wards; and voter suppression caused by the late arrival of election materials in key polling units, including Kabusa, among others,” he said.
Paul also alleged cases of alteration and mutilation of polling unit results, noting that these actions tragically contributed to the death of Musa Abubakar at the Gwagwa polling unit while he was trying to protect his vote.
“I have since visited his family and ensured that his children will be placed on scholarship, as a modest commitment to honour his courage and sacrifice,” he disclosed, while calling on the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.
The ADC candidate stressed that these actions undermine the integrity of the electoral process and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
“Our movement was never built on the fragile foundation of titles; it was built on the enduring foundation of truth. And truth does not expire with an election.”
He expressed gratitude to residents who stood under the sun for hours, walked long distances, gave their time, strength, and voices, endured intimidation, and sacrificed their resources to perform their “sacred civic duty”, noting that their sacrifices have permanently altered the moral landscape of AMAC.
“To those who gave their life, blood, sweat, and unwavering courage: you have shown that the Nigerian spirit is alive and refuses to kneel. You did not only stand for me; you stood for yourselves, for your children, for justice, for democracy and for the powerful belief that leadership must be earned, not imposed. For this, I will remain eternally grateful.”
Their courage, he said, has reaffirmed democracy as a living promise rather than a forgotten idea.
Paul equally appreciated the leadership and members of the ADC for standing firmly on the side of principle. “Your belief in a different kind of politics has not gone unnoticed, and history will honour your courage.”
He revealed that his supporters had given him something far greater than victory — purpose, expressing confidence that no force in history has ever defeated an idea whose time has come.
“What began here in AMAC will not end here. What has been ignited in your hearts cannot be extinguished by any announcement or delayed by any process,” Paul added.
He further stated that nations are not transformed in a single election, but by the steady, unrelenting courage of ordinary people who refuse to accept an ordinary future.
