Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to kick off efforts to end what he described as the “misrule and suffering” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the February 21 Area Council elections in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at a campaign rally in support of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council, Dr. Moses Paul, Atiku emphasized that strong voter turnout is crucial to dislodging the APC at the grassroots. He described the ADC as the best opposition platform to bring meaningful change and urged citizens to register for their Personal Voter Cards (PVCs) and party membership to strengthen the movement.
“The APC has failed the people, and if we don’t act now, they will continue to inflict more damage. The campaign to end the suffering they have caused starts with the FCT Area Council elections,” Atiku said.
ENigeria Newspaper reports that Atiku also accused the APC-led government of being mired in fraud and forgery, citing controversies around electoral amendments and the gazetting of the tax reform law as examples of systemic mismanagement.
The FCT Area Council elections are widely seen as a litmus test for both the ruling party and opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Historically, the FCT has been politically influential due to its status as Nigeria’s capital, and local council contests often serve as indicators of voter sentiment in the wider region.
By focusing on the ADC’s grassroots strategy, Atiku is positioning the party as a credible alternative to the APC, highlighting membership registration and voter engagement as key pillars of a broader campaign to challenge the incumbent government.
The rally also marked the formal launch of the ADC’s membership registration drive, signaling the party’s intent to build a stronger presence in the FCT and beyond.
