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By Gloria Ikibah

The Executive Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has approved a fresh wave of appointments and redeployments across critical administrative and legislative units in the council, in a move aimed at strengthening governance and improving service delivery.

According to a statement released by the council, the new appointments cut across the revenue mobilisation structure as well as the legislative arm, with immediate effect.

Those appointed include:
• Hon. Emmanuel Inyang  – Chairman AMAC Revenue Taskforce
• Hon. Bako Kamdu – Deputy Chairman AMAC Revenue taskforce
In the legislative arm the following were appointed:
• John Jezhi                  – Clerk  AMAC Legislative unit
• Hon. Isyaku Hassan  –  Deputy Clerk, AMAC Legislative unit
• Hon. Ikibah Tonye Sebastian – Legislative Liaison Officer

The council said the appointments form part of efforts to reposition its administrative machinery for greater efficiency and accountability.

“The Executive Chairman congratulates the new appointees and charges them to discharge their duties with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to the service of the people of AMAC”, the statement read.

The statement further noted that all appointments take immediate effect.

Maikalangu, who continues to push reforms across revenue generation and legislative coordination within the council, is expected to rely on the new officials to drive improved internal operations and strengthen institutional performance within AMAC.

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A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Isaac Nwachukwu, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, challenging what he described as the unlawful substitution of his candidacy for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.

Nwachukwu is asking the court to recognise him as the authentic candidate of the party and restrain both the NDC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or recognising any other aspirant for the position pending the determination of the case.

In the suit, the plaintiff alleged that he emerged as the consensus candidate during the party’s selection process but was later replaced despite meeting all requirements and making significant financial contributions to the party.

He claimed to have paid a total of ₦25 million to the party, comprising ₦20 million as support for the party and ₦5 million for the nomination form for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket.

According to him, he participated in the party’s screening exercise, was duly cleared, and his consensus candidacy was ratified before his name was allegedly substituted with another aspirant.

Nwachukwu further alleged that irregularities occurred during the process, including a situation where funds he paid were allegedly credited to another aspirant, Matthew Omegara, while Omegara’s payment was also reportedly attributed to him.

Among the reliefs sought before the court, he is requesting a declaration that he remains the consensus and rightful candidate of the NDC for Imo North Senatorial Zone, as well as an order restraining the party from fielding any other candidate.

He is also asking the court to stop INEC from recognising any candidate other than himself for the senatorial district election until the matter is resolved.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, Nwachukwu maintained that after purchasing the expression of interest form and fulfilling all financial obligations, his name was listed as the party’s candidate following the primaries.

He, however, said he was later informed at a meeting involving the party’s national leadership, including Senator Seriake Dickson, that some stakeholders from Imo State questioned his popularity and electoral strength.

The plaintiff is therefore seeking an order compelling the NDC to issue him a certificate of return as its candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, attempts to get an official response from the party were unsuccessful.

The NDC spokesperson in Imo State, Dr. Charles Akano, said he had yet to receive clearance to speak on the matter.

“I have tried to call party leaders in Imo State, but they did not take my calls. I’m afraid I do not have authorisation to speak on the issue yet,” he said.

The case is expected to further expose internal tensions within the party’s candidate selection process as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, declared that no Nigerian community should be made a victim of national development, as he commissioned the 7-kilometre access road bypassing the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Bill Clinton Drive to Tungan Madaki Settlement, completed with a four-span bridge in Abuja.

Represented by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, at the commissioning ceremony, Tinubu said the project was designed to correct years of neglect suffered by communities that sacrificed their ancestral lands for the construction of the airport’s second runway, but were left without basic road infrastructure.

According to the President, the newly completed road is not merely a transportation project but a strategic economic corridor that will improve security around the airport, ease traffic congestion and unlock development opportunities for residents of Tungan Madaki and adjoining communities.

He recalled that when the need arose to construct the airport’s second runway, host communities willingly surrendered their lands in the national interest.

“Yet, for years, the paradox remained. These patriotic communities gave up land for airplanes to fly, yet they had no motorable roads for their own feet and vehicles. They were cut off.

“Let me state this clearly; no citizen should be made a victim of national development. When the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, brought this matter to my attention, my directive was clear and unequivocal: ‘Whatever the communities ask for to make their lives whole, give it to them.’ We do not just take; we build, we replace and we elevate. Today, we have fulfilled that solemn promise,” Tinubu stated.

The President described the road as an “economic artery” that would provide an alternative route around the airport’s second runway while strengthening security around critical aviation infrastructure.

He explained that the project would help prevent local traffic from interfering with sensitive airport operations, reduce congestion along Bill Clinton Drive and stimulate economic activities in surrounding communities.

Highlighting the significance of the four-span bridge constructed along the route, Tinubu said it would ensure uninterrupted movement of people and goods throughout the year.

“Whether in the height of the dry season or the peak of the rains, our farmers can move their produce, our children can go to school, and businesses can thrive without disruption. That is what the Renewed Hope Agenda means: reducing hardship by building infrastructure that works,” he said.

The President also praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for what he described as exemplary project delivery.

“Wike, you are ‘Mr. Project’, and you have not disappointed. In February 2025, I approved this project. You mobilised immediately. Today, barely 16 months later, this beautiful stretch of road is completed and ready for use. No excuses. No stories. Just delivery.

“That is the standard Nigerians deserve, and that is the standard this administration will maintain,” he said.

Tinubu urged residents to safeguard the infrastructure by preventing encroachment on the road corridor and ensuring proper maintenance of drainage channels.

While acknowledging the economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President reiterated that the reforms initiated by his administration were necessary to secure long-term national prosperity.

“The reforms we embarked on three years ago were never going to be easy. We made hard choices. But they were necessary choices. Hard choices today mean a stronger Nigeria tomorrow.

“We are not building for headlines. We are building for generations to come. We will keep working day and night until every Nigerian feels the impact of good governance,” he added.

Earlier, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the commissioning formed part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration and the seventh day of a 31-day programme dedicated to unveiling completed projects across the territory.

Wike noted that the Tungan Madaki road project symbolised the administration’s commitment to extending development beyond Abuja’s city centre to neglected satellite communities.

He commended residents of the community for their cooperation during the acquisition of land for the airport’s second runway, describing them as a model for other host communities across the country.

“I must commend this community as a strong example for others to learn from. They did not make unrealistic demands or attempt to frustrate government efforts.

“Instead, they made two simple requests: employment for their youths and access roads for their community. They did not demand huge monetary compensation or place unnecessary conditions. They simply asked for jobs and roads,” Wike said.

According to him, government has already fulfilled the employment component of the agreement and is now delivering the road infrastructure promised to the community.

The minister recalled personally witnessing the difficult living conditions in the area during the project’s flag-off, noting that it was unacceptable for residents living close to an international airport to remain disconnected from the city.

“Under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are changing that story through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This community, like many others in the satellite towns, had lost hope and confidence in government. But today, hope has returned,” he said.

Wike disclosed that the 7-kilometre road, which includes a major bridge, now links communities across the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Gwagwalada Area Council, while also improving access for residents travelling to the airport from Zuba and neighbouring settlements.

He further revealed that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had directed the contractor, CCECC Nigeria Limited, to extend the road further to Zuba to maximise its economic impact.

The minister praised the contractor for completing the project within the agreed timeframe despite initial doubts about the feasibility of the schedule.

He, however, warned land grabbers against encroaching on the road corridor, stressing that the infrastructure was meant to serve host communities and support future development.

“This road is proof that when government and communities work together, progress is possible,” Wike said.

The project is expected to improve connectivity, boost economic activities, facilitate movement around the airport corridor and enhance the quality of life for residents of Tungan Madaki, Zuba and other surrounding communities.