By Patrick Idowu
The Federal Capital Territory Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Ismaila Mohammed Yenche, has expressed confidence that the party will reclaim control of the Abuja Municipal Area Council in the upcoming council election, despite the recent defection of the current chairman, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, to the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking to journalists at the PDP secretariat in Abuja, Yenche admitted that Maikalangu’s move to the ruling party was a setback, but insisted it would not derail the party’s chances.
“His exit is not the end of PDP in AMAC. The structure is still solid and the people are with us,” he said.
Yenche further revealed that the PDP has successfully selected councillorship candidates across all 12 political wards through consensus and is also finalizing a consensus candidate for the chairmanship race.
He dismissed suggestions that Maikalangu’s defection weakens the party, describing the former chairman as “only an entity” whose departure has not shaken the foundation of the PDP in AMAC.
With the area council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, Yenche declared, “We are fully ready. PDP will win in all 12 wards and take back the council.”
