The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has taken notice of attempts by certain individuals to create a rift between the Council’s Executive Chairman, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, and the hardworking FCT Minister, His Excellency Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and indirectly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
In recent days, unfounded rumors have been circulating, suggesting that in the wake of the Presidential Election Petition Court’s judgment in favor of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some unidentified Abuja natives are contemplating seeking a Federal High Court order compelling the Nigerian Federal Government to allow the FCT to elect a Governor and 3 Senators, among other state-like privileges.
According to these baseless claims, highlighted by an alleged lawyer on social media, FCT natives plan to file a motion seeking a court order restraining Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike from serving as an FCT minister until the case is resolved.
The AMAC would have disregarded these rumors as nonsensical, but they have gained unwarranted attention. Therefore, we find it necessary to set the record straight and expose these rumor-mongers.
Since his election in February 2022, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, the Executive Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), has been dedicated to delivering democratic benefits to his constituents, despite opposition attempts to question his election. Hon. Maikalangu, a law-abiding citizen who firmly believes in the judicial process, has consistently promoted peace. His victory in the AMAC election was confirmed by the FCT Area Council Election Appeal Tribunal in October 2022.
There is no reasonable basis for involving Chairman Maikalangu in unfounded rumors suggesting that he would abandon his role as AMAC Chairman to administer the FCT as an administrator for any reason.
The judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court has been rendered, and dissatisfied parties have expressed their intention to approach the Supreme Court, which is the appropriate avenue for law-abiding citizens who respect the principle of res judicata.
It is surprising that an alleged lawyer would propagate these rumors, indirectly inciting violence, unrest, and anarchy by proposing the removal of an FCT Minister who underwent the requisite processes before being sworn in.
It is essential to note that at no point did Honorable Maikalangu endorse any group’s attempt to obtain a temporary court order directing him to administer the FCT as an administrator while awaiting the alleged hearing and resolution of a speculative case seeking FCT statehood.
Those who are determined to pit Chairman Maikalangu against the diligent FCT Minister, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and by extension, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, should cease their efforts. Chairman Maikalangu is not associated with such a scheme and will not endorse any actions that jeopardize peace and security in the FCT.
Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, made history by appointing an FCT native, Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo, as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs. This milestone has been celebrated and reflects the support of the FCT and AMAC for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The people of the FCT and AMAC wholeheartedly support President Tinubu’s agenda and have no intention of disrupting a peaceful and inclusive government with any form of agitation. Until the constitution is amended to grant the FCT state-like privileges, such as electing a Governor and 3 Senators, rumor-mongers should refrain from attempting to create divisions among key figures in the government.
