By David Aduge-Ani
Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC), chairmanship candidate for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Area Council elections, marking a major political shift from his previous affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Maikalangu, who recently defected to the APC, secured a resounding victory in the party’s primary held on Wednesday, polling 51 votes to defeat nine other aspirants.
His triumph solidifies his position as the party’s flag bearer and strengthens his bid for a second term as AMAC chairman.
The chairman of the AMAC Electoral Committee, Dr. Habib Ibrahim, announced the results and urged all aspirants to accept the outcome in good faith, while calling for unity and collective support for Maikalangu ahead of the general elections.
Several aspirants were said to have stepped down for Maikalangu before the vote, a move widely seen as an endorsement of his performance in office and a strategic show of party cohesion.
In his acceptance speech, Maikalangu thanked the delegates for their support and extended an olive branch to his co-contestants, urging them to work together for the growth of the party and the development of AMAC.
“As the current chairman of AMAC, we have implemented key development projects in infrastructure, healthcare, and education,” he said. “This victory reflects the trust of our people and the confidence the APC has in our leadership.”
The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and APC FCT leader, Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, congratulated Maikalangu on his emergence, encouraging all members to rally behind the candidate to ensure a decisive win in 2026.
Maikalangu’s defection from the PDP to the APC is seen by analysts as a tactical realignment aimed at fostering closer ties with the federal government and unlocking greater developmental support for AMAC.
With the party’s ticket now secured, Maikalangu is poised to consolidate his leadership and deliver another term if victorious in the 2026 polls. His emergence is also expected to boost the APC’s political momentum in the FCT.
Observers believe the upcoming election will serve as a referendum on his performance and the strength of the APC’s grassroots network in the nation’s capital.
