Taxation Without Presence: Madaki Slams AMAC’s Predatory Revenue Model
Robert Madaki, chairmanship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), says he wants to end a system where local government is felt by residents only when taxes are being collected.
Speaking on Saturday at the flag-off of the YPP campaign in Abuja, Madaki said many communities within AMAC have become “ungoverned spaces”, with little or no government presence despite regular revenue demands.
“Local government administration is not felt in many areas except during tax collection,” Madaki said, arguing that the disconnect between the council and residents has weakened trust in grassroots governance.
According to him, while Abuja’s central districts receive consistent attention, satellite towns and suburbs under AMAC have been largely neglected, forcing residents to rely on self-help for basic infrastructure, security and essential services.
Madaki said his campaign is built around reversing that trend through a people-first governance model that prioritises service delivery before revenue collection.
He said YPP’s governance blueprint for AMAC, unveiled at the event, would shift the council from a revenue-driven structure to what he described as a “service-for-tax” system.
“The legitimacy of local government comes from its presence and usefulness to the people, not just its ability to collect taxes,” he said.
The blueprint, tagged “10 pillars of AMAC Transformation”, focuses on administrative reform, accountability, security and inclusive development.
Madaki identified right staffing as a key pillar, explaining that reviewing AMAC’s administrative structure would improve efficiency, service delivery and financial sustainability.
“It also speaks to the fact that you are setting up a system that will make AMAC profitable,” he said, noting that the council provides statutory services that no other institution offers.
He stressed that governance must be visible and humane, not abstract.
“Governance is more than collecting taxes. It is about presence, inclusion and humane leadership,” Madaki said, describing AMAC as strategically positioned to set a national standard for grassroots administration.
On accountability, he said elected officials must remain answerable to residents, warning that democracy delivers little value when leaders withhold information or misuse public resources.
He also outlined the role of local government in security, citing community engagement, advocacy and collaboration with security agencies as core responsibilities of the area council.
Madaki urged residents to participate actively in the February 21 area council elections, describing the polls as critical to improving governance at the grassroots.
Earlier, Abraham Adedotun, FCT chairman of YPP, said the party was offering a new political approach driven by young and credible candidates.
“Our candidates are educated, committed and realistic in their promises,” Adedotun said, expressing confidence in the party’s chances.
He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for transparency ahead of the elections.
In his remarks, Kabiru Bala, INEC electoral officer for AMAC, confirmed that the council elections would hold on February 21.
Bala said AMAC has 1,401 polling units across 12 wards and urged residents to collect their permanent voter cards.
“There is no election without participation. Voters must come out, collect their PVCs and guard their votes,” he said.
