The All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to wrest political control of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from opposition parties in the 2027 general elections, declaring its readiness to unseat Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party and secure all legislative positions in the nation’s capital.
National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday during a grand “Unity Rally” organized to welcome a large wave of defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The event, which drew a crowd of supporters and key party figures, was marked by what party leaders described as a major shift in the political landscape of the FCT.
Leading the defectors was the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, who crossed over to the ruling party with all 12 elected councillors under his administration and over 20,000 loyal supporters. Their defection, according to Ganduje, signals a new dawn for the APC in the capital territory.
Addressing the gathering, Ganduje said the influx of influential political figures and grassroots support into the APC fold has positioned the party for a clean sweep of all elective positions in Abuja in the next election cycle. He maintained that the APC now controls over 60 percent of the political structure across the six area councils of the FCT.
“Today marks a defining moment in the political history of the FCT. With the defection of the AMAC Chairman, his elected councillors, appointees and thousands of supporters, we are certain that the APC will take full control of the capital in 2027,” Ganduje declared. “We also welcome decampees from Bwari, Kuje, Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada area councils. This is a clear indication that over 60 percent of the FCT is now in the hands of the APC.”
He went further to assert that the party is determined to reclaim the FCT’s sole senatorial seat, currently held by Labour Party’s Ireti Kingibe, as well as the two House of Representatives seats lost in the 2023 elections. The APC had notably suffered a major setback during that poll when its presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lost the FCT to Labour Party’s Peter Obi, a development that sent ripples through the political landscape.
Representing the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, at the event was Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, who applauded the decision of the defectors and expressed confidence in the party’s growing strength. He highlighted achievements of the Tinubu administration in infrastructure development, security, and energy reforms, attributing the increased support for APC to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This massive defection reflects the positive impact of President Tinubu’s leadership. We urge the new members to bring their political experience and commitment to deepen our party’s roots in the FCT and beyond,” Barau stated.
Also addressing the crowd was former Kogi State governor and chieftain of the party, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who boldly declared that the presidency is firmly secured for APC in 2027. He stressed that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock and urged dissenting party members to return and contribute to building a stronger political family.
“President Bola Tinubu will return to Aso Rock in 2027. The mandate he carries is the will of the people, and he is delivering on that mandate. Anyone who left the APC thinking they can achieve more outside is only making noise. Real influence lies within the APC,” Bello said.
He also took the opportunity to dismiss speculations of internal discord between President Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari, affirming that the two leaders remain united in their commitment to the party’s growth and Nigeria’s progress.
“This party belongs to its founding fathers, including President Tinubu and former President Buhari. There is no rift between them. They continue to consult each other for the betterment of the country,” he added.
On his part, APC National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Muazu Bawa Rijau, described the event as a landmark in the party’s journey toward reclaiming dominance in the FCT. He said the defection of a sitting council chairman, along with his entire political structure, was not just symbolic but strategic in achieving electoral victory in the capital.
Echoing the sentiment, APC Chairman in the FCT, Abdulmalik Usman, noted that with the wave of defections across the area councils, the ruling party is now well-positioned to challenge and defeat the opposition in all corners of the territory.
“This is just the beginning. Over 20,000 people from AMAC alone have joined the APC today, and we are expecting thousands more from the remaining councils. The momentum is with us. We are ready, and we will deliver the FCT to the APC in 2027,” Usman stated confidently.
With this development, the APC is clearly setting its sights on reclaiming lost ground in Nigeria’s political capital, banking on increased grassroots mobilisation, performance-based governance, and a strategic alliance of political heavyweights to secure victory in the next electoral cycle.
