The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kingsley Madaki, the council boss cited political marginalisation and the loss of federal opportunities as key reasons for his switch. According to Madaki, AMAC residents have been missing out on federal appointments, jobs, and interventions due to the council’s alignment with an opposition party.
Maikalangu expressed confidence that joining the APC would offer him a stronger platform to deliver meaningful development to AMAC residents.
He stated,
“It was important we took a position and the position we took is for the good of our democracy and to ensure that the good people of AMAC move forward.
“My people must know that for me to have taken that decision, I had looked at the general interests of AMAC people. I was not elected to lead the entire Nigeria, I was elected to lead AMAC residents. I looked at the interests of my people and I have seen that these interests were not protected in any other party than the APC.
“I have seen the fact that we are losing our opportunities in terms of Federal jobs/appointments, the goodies from the Federal level and as well as Federal interventions could not reach us because of party differences and it’s like that in politics.
“In the places where we need Ecological funding in dilapidated areas in our communities that is beyond us, we may not get immediate attention because of party affiliation. Let’s keep emotions aside, the more they continue to pilfer these jobs/opportunities, the more we will continue to lose our wealth to grow and move forward.”
The statement also referenced other notable politicians who have made similar party transitions in recent times.
“Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former House of Representatives Member in AMAC, joined the APC to contest the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, stating that he wanted to link Anambra State to the center (Abuja) and bring about positive change and development.
“Dr Kingsley Kelachukwu Okoronkwo, who dumped the Labour Party for the APC, cited the crisis and court litigation plaguing the Labour Party as his reason.”
Maikalangu’s defection is seen by observers as a strategic political move aimed at aligning with the federal ruling party to maximise developmental benefits for his constituents.
“Joining the APC could be a strategic move for Maikalangu to advance his political career and achieve his goals,” the statement added.
It also highlighted that Hon. Gabriel Bravo Oluohu, an APC chieftain, had earlier urged Maikalangu to join the party “for the betterment of AMAC.”
“However, with the direct statement from Maikalangu, the exact reasons for his decision remain for the overall good of his people,” it concluded.
