FCT Council Polls: Group storms APC Secretariat, protests PDP instigated subvertion

By DailyTimesNGR

17 June 2025

News

By Tom Okpe

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Consolidation Group, stormed the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja on Monday, in protest on what it described as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, instigated subversion in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, APC structure.

Led by its spokesperson, Idris Jibril, the Consolidation Group, called for disqualification of Danjuma Shekwolo and Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, who are aspirants for Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC.

In a petition submitted to the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the group stated that Shekwolo was a delegate at the PDP Zonal Convention held on May 24 and barely 48 hours later, he obtained the APC nomination forms.

According to the petition, this was not only a direct affront to Article 20.1(iii), but also exposed a clear case of opportunistic carpet-crossing and deceit.

The APC Consolidation Group noted that Zakka, a sitting PDP Chairman of AMAC, who is also contesting under the Party’s platform for another tenure, has not met the mandatory three-month membership requirement, saying his sudden entry into APC was strategically calculated and violated both the spirit and the letter of its constitution.

“According to Article 20.1(iii) of the APC Constitution: ‘No person shall be eligible to contest for any elective position or be nominated as a candidate unless he/she has been a financial member of the Party for at least three (3) months and has fulfilled all Party requirements.’

“This petition is borne out of deep concern over dangerous infiltration of the FCT APC by individuals who neither reflect values of the Party nor meet the
constitutional requirements for nomination, yet are being positioned as candidates in a brazen attempt to hijack our internal processes.

“Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, a sitting PDP Chairman of AMAC, who is also reportedly contesting under the APC platform for another tenure, has not met the mandatory three-month membership requirement. His sudden entry into our Party is strategically, calculated and violates both the spirit and the letter of our constitution.

“In flagrant violation of this provision: Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo, an aspirant for the Kuje Area Council Chairmanship, was a delegate at the PDP Zonal Convention held on Saturday, 24th May 2025. Barely 48 hours later, he obtained the APC nomination and expression of interest forms. This is not only a direct affront to Article 20.1(iii), but also exposes a clear case of opportunistic carpet-crossing and deceit.

“These actions, if unchecked, will set a dangerous precedent, one that allows political turncoats and saboteurs to undermine our platform, frustrate long-serving loyal members, and turn APC into a safe haven for rejected opposition elements.

“Our great Party must not reward disloyalty, neither should it become a shelter for political opportunists rejected by their original parties. The APC must be seen to stand on the pillars of integrity, discipline, and fairness, especially at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is championing Renewed Hope, and National rebirth.

“We trust that your leadership will act with speed and decisiveness to avert looming crisis and preserve the legacy of progressives in the FCT. Potential breakdown of law and order in Kuje and Bwari, mass protest and withdrawal by aggrieved, loyal APC aspirants and supporters.

“In view of the foregoing, we respectfully demand that; Immediate disqualification of Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo and Christopher Zakka Maikalangu from contesting under the APC in the forthcoming Area Council elections in line with Article 20.1(iii) of the APC Constitution.

“A clear directive dissociating the APC from Senator Philip Aduda, who remains a known PDP figure and must not be allowed to meddle in APC affairs through proxy candidates.”

Also speaking, a member of Tinubu/Shetima Campaign Council from Kuje Area Council, Yusuf Dabo asked the former Senator representing the Nation’s capital, Philip Aduda as well as the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike not to meddle into APC affairs while they are still in PDP.

“We are telling Wike to be careful because this Party belongs to APC members. Wike is still in PDP. Let him continue in PDP and stop delving into affairs of our Party; that is our position,” he said.