Members of the Igbo community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have endorsed the re-election bid of Hon. Christopher Zaaka Maikalangu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for the chairmanship of the council in the 2026 FCT Area Council elections.

The endorsement comes ahead of the polls scheduled for Saturday, February 21.

They also condemned a recent endorsement of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Obinna Simon, describing it as unrepresentative of the Igbo people in the council.

Speaking for the AMAC Igbo community at a press conference in Abuja, Hon. Benson Ovoh and Comrade Ike Duru, commended the Maikalangu administration for fostering political inclusiveness, promoting market allocations, and resolving long-standing issues affecting traders who had suffered decades of uncertainty due to market demolitions.

They said the administration’s efforts had strengthened the unity and economic participation of the Igbo in AMAC.

The group said, “For the benefit of hindsight, it is important to highlight that the Igbo populace in AMAC has been of progressive leaning right from the inception of the FCT.

“We have participated in building the economy of the place and shaping the nature of the local polity. In the hands of the indigenous people, we have forged an alliance envied by many. This is despite the occasional loggerheads, which were most times resolved in harmony.

“Ndigbo in AMAC in recent times have witnessed a new brotherliness in the areas of political inclusiveness, patronages, market allocations and business development. The Christopher Zaaka Maikalangu administration in AMAC has given us a sense of belonging and restored our confidence in the unity project of the FCT.

While dissociating themselves from the SDP candidate, the Igbo community accused Simon of not identifying with the Igbo community before his declaration for the AMAC chairmanship.

The Igbo leaders noted that they appreciate the cordial relationship they have enjoyed with their host communities in AMAC, as well as the council’s good governance demonstrated in recent times.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Maikalangu administration in settling our traders, who for almost three decades have been haunted by the demolition of their markets. This singular act demands reciprocation.

“We wish to state that for purposes of fair play, brotherliness, a continuation of the convivial business environment for our businessmen, respect for the indigenous populace of AMAC, we hereby declare the Igbo endorsement of Hon. Christopher Zaaka Maikalangu as the Igbo choice for the AMAC chairmanship in the 2026 FCT Area Council elections”, they added.