This post has already been read at least 118 times!

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have raised a strong call for early, strategic, and data-driven political mobilisation as preparations gradually begin for the 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the 2027 general elections.

The call was made at a high-level strategic engagement meeting organised by the Progressive Next Generation Initiative (PNGI), a data-driven and analytics platform established to identify, nurture, and support emerging leaders across the FCT and Nigeria.

The meeting, which brought together key political actors and stakeholders, signalled a renewed focus on grassroots engagement, political education, leadership grooming, and coordinated messaging.

Prominent among those in attendance were the Convener of PNGI, Hon. Jeffery Omoh Ozemegwa; Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu; Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), Dr. Umar Tanko Yakasai; and former APC presidential aspirant, Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Jeffery Omoh Ozemegwa explained that the establishment of PNGI was inspired by the reality of an imminent generational shift in Nigeria’s political landscape. According to him, the period following the 2027 general elections will witness a significant transition in leadership, as a substantial number of current political actors are expected to step aside, thereby making room for a younger, more strategic, and data-driven political class.

“Over 15 per cent of the current political actors will phase out after the 2027 elections. This inevitability demands deliberate planning and preparation. PNGI is designed to identify and equip a new generation of leaders who are informed, analytical, and capable of delivering purposeful governance,” Ozemegwa said.

He further revealed that PNGI is already building a strong institutional framework capable of shaping leadership outcomes in AMAC by the year 2030, emphasising capacity building, political orientation, and issue-based mobilisation. Ozemegwa openly affirmed the organisation’s support for Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, noting that the backing was not only based on performance indicators but also on his “character, leadership style, accessibility, and visible commitment to grassroots development.”

Ozemegwa also lamented the apparent gap in understanding of government policies among some ward chairmen and councillors in the FCT, stressing that ignorance of policy often weakens effective governance and communication with the people. He therefore underscored the urgent need for political orientation, enlightenment, and continuous education, which PNGI intends to champion through a robust grassroots network and the engagement of operatives such as Ibrahim Ombugadu in community linking and capacity building initiatives.

In his remarks, TSG Director-General, Dr. Umar Tanko Yakasai, commended PNGI for what he described as a “timely and strategic intervention.” He said such meetings were essential for reviewing achievements, aligning political structures, and strengthening campaign narratives well ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Dr. Yakasai described Hon. Maikalangu as a valuable asset to the APC, noting that the party is only strengthened by individuals who add tangible value through performance, loyalty, and people-centered leadership. He pointed out that the continued success of the party in the FCT hinges on credible leadership and consistent messaging at every level.

He also highlighted what he termed as significant reforms currently being implemented in the FCT under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to him, the introduction of a full civil service structure in the FCT, the appointment of new mandate secretaries, and strategic infrastructure expansion efforts are gradually shaping a more functional and responsive capital territory. Yakasai therefore urged APC members and residents of the FCT to work toward delivering a resounding victory for President Tinubu in 2027 in order to put to rest, once and for all, the recurring debates surrounding FCT voting patterns.

On his part, AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, expressed deep appreciation to PNGI and all stakeholders for the recognition and support. He disclosed that mobilisation efforts for both the 2026 and 2027 elections have already commenced in earnest, noting that AMAC’s size and diversity make last-minute campaigns ineffective.

“AMAC is too large for fire brigade politics. That is why we have already started engaging communities, traditional institutions, youth groups, churches, and local structures. Early mobilisation is the only way to achieve meaningful impact,” Maikalangu said.

He further called on national APC leaders to recognise the strategic importance of the FCT and to commit resources and attention to grassroots mobilisation efforts without delay. According to him, the APC is now firmly entrenched in the territory, with structures that are increasingly active and responsive. He expressed strong confidence in the party’s ability to secure victory in both the area council elections and the general elections.

Former APC presidential aspirant, Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda, also showered praise on Maikalangu’s performance, stating that true value does not require excessive promotion because it naturally speaks for itself. He observed that part of the challenge facing the ruling party is not necessarily a lack of good policies but poor communication and widespread misunderstanding of those policies by the general public.

Dr. Dauda explained that the new tax regime introduced by the current administration exempts businesses with annual turnovers below ₦50 million from taxation, a policy that covers over 70 per cent of Nigerians. He added that nearly ₦7 billion has also been released to community health centres across the country to provide free medical services to pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people living with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

According to him, these initiatives reflect a pro-people agenda that is not being adequately communicated to the masses. He therefore called for a harmonised enlightenment and communication effort between PNGI, the Tinubu Support Group, and APC structures in the FCT, to ensure that citizens are accurately informed and properly educated on the benefits of government policies.

Dr. Dauda urged all political stakeholders to see themselves as ambassadors of truth and accurate information, especially as the next electoral cycle draws closer. “If the people understand the policies, they will defend them. Enlightenment is as important as mobilisation,” he stressed.

Unified Resolution for Early Action and New Leadership Focus

At the end of the strategic engagement, participants unanimously pledged support for the re-election of Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu as AMAC Chairman in 2026, citing his visible achievements, accessibility, and impact on local governance. They also jointly called on the national leadership of the APC to begin early groundwork ahead of 2027, strengthen data-driven campaigning, and deliberately position a new generation of leaders who can sustain governance beyond the next election cycle.

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to deepen grassroots engagement, expand political education, deploy analytical tools for mobilisation, and sustain collaboration among all pro-APC groups in the FCT. As Nigeria gradually inches toward another defining moment in its democratic journey, the consensus from the gathering was clear: early preparation, informed leadership, and strategic unity will determine the winners of tomorrow.

StreetReporters.ng

This post has already been read at least 118 times!