The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the just-concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council elections for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr Paul Moses, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately taking Nigerians for granted by showing disregard for their sensibilities during the polls.

The candidate also alleged that the results declared by the INEC after the elections betray the will of the people and do not reflect the actual outcome.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Dr Moses, who commiserated with families of those who lost their lives during the elections, also alleged intimidation, the use of force and electoral fraud.

According to him: “I have called you here to address the events of last Saturday, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) once again took Nigerians for granted, showing a blatant disregard for their sensibilities.

“I stand before you today not as a man diminished by the outcome of Saturday’s event, but as a man empowered by a political movement. This movement is not born of convenience but of conviction; it is carried not by power, but by people. It is written not in ink, but in sacrifice.

“Over the past few months, from the streets of Karshi to the bustling markets of Wuse, from the crowded paths of Nyanya to the quiet resilience of Gui, Abuja residents have risen, standing up and expressing their beliefs. For this, I bow my head in gratitude.”

He continued, “Let it be known and recorded in history that what we witnessed in this election was not merely a contest for office; it was a declaration of dignity by a people who refuse to surrender their future.

“I have reviewed the outcome as announced. While I firmly believe, based on our extensive engagement and the overwhelming spirit of our movement, that we earned the sacred mandate of the people, I strongly condemn the declared results, as they do not reflect the true will of the residents of Abuja.”

The ADC candidate further stressed that among those who voted, many have expressed deep disagreement with the announced outcome due to widespread irregularities.

“These include the restriction of movement by the imposition of curfew, alteration and mutilation of polling unit results, which tragically contributed to the death of Musa Abubakar at the Gwagwa polling unit while trying to resist their actions; the intimidation and attacks on ADC party members by security agencies; massive vote buying across several wards; and voter suppression caused by the late arrival of election materials in key polling units, including Kabusa, among others.

“These actions undermine the integrity of the electoral process and the confidence of the people in our democracy.

“Our movement was never built on the fragile foundation of titles; it was built on the enduring foundation of truth. And truth does not expire with an election.

“To the young men and women who stood in the sun for hours, who walked distances they had never known, and who gave their time, strength, and voices: you are the authors of a new chapter.

“To those who came from near and far, who sacrificed their resources and endured intimidation and doubt, your sacrifices have forever altered the moral landscape of AMAC.

“To those who gave their life, blood, sweat, and unwavering courage: you have shown that the Nigerian spirit is alive and refuses to kneel.

“You did not only stand for me; you stood for yourselves, for your children, for justice, for democracy and for the powerful belief that leadership must be earned, not imposed. For this, I will remain eternally grateful.

“I extend my deepest appreciation to every voter who performed their sacred civic duty. Your courage has reaffirmed democracy as a living promise, not a forgotten idea.

“I thank the leadership and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for standing firmly on the side of principle. Your belief in a different kind of politics has not gone unnoticed, and history will honour your courage.

“To every volunteer, supporter, elder, youth, and woman who carried this movement in their hearts: you have given me something far greater than victory; you have given me purpose.

“My dear people, listen carefully: No force in history has ever defeated an idea whose time has come.

“What began here in AMAC will not end here. What has been ignited in your hearts cannot be extinguished by any announcement or delayed by any process.

“Nations are not transformed in a single election; they are transformed by the steady, unrelenting courage of ordinary people who refuse to accept an ordinary future.”

He said that despite the outcome, he remains committed and accountable, “and I am one of his people. This is not the end of our journey. This is the beginning of a permanent awakening. One day, I say this with absolute certainty, a new AMAC will emerge. One day, a new Nigeria will rise. When that day comes, history will remember that it was you, the ordinary citizens with extraordinary courage, who made it possible.”