Hon. Ahmed Abubakar Medugu was a former Councillor representing Nyanya Ward in 2007. He recently endorsed by North East Geopolitical Indigenes Forum, Abuja; as their candidate for the position of vice chairmanship candidate for AMAC; under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2026 FCT Council polls. In this interview with Nigeria Project, he reveals reasons why the leadership of his party (APC) should consider him for the position.
How was your journey into politics?
I started as far back as 1994 in Abuja. I later joined ANPP under platform which I won an election and became Councillor for Nyanya Ward in 2007. From ANPP to CPC, which later was part of the merger that gave birth to APC. Most of those guys vying for the position of the vice chairman are either those PDP that just decamped to APC or others who not long ago, joined the party (APC). Since the formation of APC, I have remained in the party. If the party on its wisdom gave the ticket to the current Chairman of AMAC, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, who recently decamped to APC, the right thing for the party – for fairness and justice, is to pick the running mate to him from the core member of the party. That will boast the morale of those who have been on ground in the party (APC) for long, and shows that there is usually reward for dedication and loyalty to party. This, of course, will bring more peace and stability to the party.
Secondly, when you look at where I’m coming from; the North East, the mantles ought to fall on me because from Zone ‘A’ of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), which comprises Nyanya, Karu, Oronzo and Karshi. It will bring good balance and equity. This is because most of those guys vying for the position of vice chairman come from the same ward of the chairman, and from the North West where the outgoing AMAC vice chairman comes from.
I humbly suggest that the current APC AMAC chairman should continue with the fatherly role he has started by ensuring that the party remains strong and one united family. This becomes necessary and imperative considering the recent crisis that the party went through. He should build on the peace that is gruadually returning to the party, especially since the emergency of the AMAC chairman as the candidate for the party in the 2026 FCT polls. By virtue of these two things – the outgoing vice chairman comes from North West and the current AMAC APC chair also from the North West; and also, for the fact that he his occupying a very sensitive position as the APC AMAC chair, he ought not to vie talk more of considering him for the position of the vice chairmanship candidate of the party. He should serve his tenure as the party chairman and continues to play the fatherly role for the betterment of the party. This will bring stability and peace to the party.
The South East had their own time during the tenure of former AMAC chairman, Abdullahi Candido. The outgoing vice chairman comes from North West. This time around, without much ado, the slot should be from the North East, where I come from.
We have a good number of people from North East residing in Abuja. And, by the special grace of God, I’m not only popular in Nyanya Ward, I also popular in entire AMAC as well as FCT as a whole. This is because, I have been in Abuja for the past 31 years and fully involved in politics of the FCT. I’m close to every tribe in FCT and have cordial relationship with both Muslims and Christians. If I was not popular, I wouldn’t have elected as a Councillor representing Nyanya Ward in 2007. And since then, I have been involving in FCT politics especially in AMAC. I walk free on the roads and the people love me because the meagre money that I received them as a Councillor, was judiciously used for the betterment of the residents. I used the resources to put some physical dividends of democracy for the people that are still there till date. I also empowered a good number of our people especially the women to either start their businesses or train them on skills, to be self-reliance. All these things are not fiction, they are there for people to verify.
I have been in Abuja since 1994 but joined full politics during the former President Olusegun Obasanjo tenure, which was 1999. But In 2007, I contested for Nyanya Ward Councillor and won, under the then ANPP. Nyanya Ward is a Zone ‘A’ under Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Nyanya Ward, which is very popular in the area of vote strength, I can say, has not been accorded the rightful position as far as AMAC high office is concerned. That is why this time around, my people, North East Geopolitical Indigenes Forum, Abuja, endorsed me as their sole candidate for the position of vice chairman for the coming FCT polls under the platform of my party – APC.
North East comprises the following states – Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba. The indigenes of the above mentioned states that comprise North East who are residing in Abuja, came together and having seen my political profile, endorsed me to vie for the position of the vice chairman. The North East has huge number of votes residing in Abuja (if not highest). Some may argue about that but let me tell you why. North East has produced 5 past FCT ministers. Borno produced two; Bauchi produced one, which is the current Governor of Bauchi State; Gombe produced one; and Adamawa had one.
These former 5 FCT ministers attracted their large number of relations and friends to FCT in search of greener pasture. They remained here and continued to expand in number. This led to huge number of them living in FCT; and by so doing has huge number of eligible voters.
Apart from that, the North East has also produced two vice presidents, since 1999 till date – Atiku Abubakar, who spent 8 years. His tenure attracted many people from his place to come to Abuja and have remained till now. The current vice president, Kashim Shettima is from Borno State. You also talk of the immediate past senate president, Ahmed Lawan, who is from Yobe State. All these figures contribute to North East large voters in FCT. So, without argument, we have huge voting number than any other tribe in the FCT.
Since the creation of Abuja, Sarkin Hausa of Abuja was from Borno State, until few years ago that he joined his ancestors. We from the entire north are under the leadership of Sarkin Hausa/Fulani. All I’m driving out is to let you know that the North East has huge voting population than other tribes in Abuja. I’m not saying other tribes are not many, but the point I’m making is to let people know that we have huge voters in FCT.
Coming to Nyanya Ward, which is zone ‘A’ of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), which comprises Nyanya, Karu, Oronzo and Karshi. Considering our huge voting strength, it will be a good combination with our candidate – Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, which is from Garki Ward.
In the area of competency, justice and political commitment, I’m very qualified to be his running mate. I’m a grassroots politician and have large followership within the AMAC, which will make our work very easy. I think this is what my people saw in me that they endorsed me for the position, because we have many politicians from North East zone in FCT, but having gone through my political profile, they settled for me, and I’m very grateful to them.
What type of politician is your candidate for the AMAC chair?
Very fantastic young man. I really admire him for doing wonderful well in the area of developmental projects. He is a very humble and peace loving man. Since joining our party (APC), he has brought a unique leadership quality – he carries everybody along and united all members. I can say it categorically that he is a blessing to the party (APC). The electorates love him because he has performed very well. His second term will be massive. He will do extremely well in the area of developmental projects. His coming to APC is a big plus and has given the party an easy ride in the coming FCT Council polls.
You were councilor in Nyanya Ward in 2007, what did do for the electorates?
My achievements are still there for anyone to verify. We sunk around 7 or 8 boreholes in Nyanya Ward. We put one health care in Gbagalape (under Nyanya Ward), we built some schools and empowered a good number of people especially the women. The electorates love me. I move around on the streets freely. I have friends across all tribes and religion. I believe that politics is for the uplifting of humanity. That is why anywhere you mention my name in Nyanya Ward, people know me.
What is your message for your party (APC) and the AMAC electorates concerning the polls?
I humbly appeal to my party leadership to do the needful for the sake of justice and fairness, in the area of the running mate to our candidate – Hon. Christopher Zakka Makalangu. Other people have taken their shots, it’s now supposed to be the turn of the North East, which I’m representing. I have the requisite political experience; and large followership. It wouldn’t be a mistake or wrong choice, if I’m given the opportunity of the vice chairmanship candidate for the AMAC.
For the electorates, they should come out in large number to cast their votes for APC. Our candidate, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu is popular, he has been tested and trusted. He wouldn’t disappoint them during his second term. The voters should come out in large number to cast their vote for him so that he can return and continue his good work.
I’m very optimistic that if our party (APC) can offer me the position of the vice chairman, with the combination of our AMAC chair candidate, it is going to be a smooth ride for us.
