The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has formally announced his support for Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate vying for the Abuja Municipal Area Council Chairmanship in the upcoming February 2026 elections.
Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) authorized political campaigns for the area council elections.
In a statement, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed campaign activities will span from 24 September 2025 to midnight 19 February 2026.
Maikalangu, who secured the APC nomination at the party primaries on 26 June 2025, obtained 51 votes to win his ticket.
At the flag‑off ceremony for roadworks connecting Tunga Madaki and several neighboring communities to the airport, Wike said Maikalangu had asked him to remind the President of the need to compensate the affected residents for the second runway project at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Wike urged locals to back Maikalangu in the February polls and anticipated that after the election, the candidate would play a role in commissioning the infrastructure in June 2026.
“Now that INEC has said area councils can campaign openly you all know where we are heading,” he said.
Wike further asserted that President Bola Tinubu has ordered full compensation for communities whose lands were acquired for the runway and that connecting their settlements by roads had long been their demand.
The Minister described the inauguration as a fulfillment of a promise made by the President and called the day’s project a sign of a “listening government.”
He concluded by urging residents to imagine the development that will follow by June, when roads are completed and “Mr. Maikalangu will do the needful.”
