The chairmanship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul, has described last Saturday’s election outcome as a stepping stone rather than a setback.
Paul, who finished second in the contest, said the result would not weaken the resolve of his supporters or derail what he called a growing reform movement within the council.
Speaking after the announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ADC candidate said political change is rarely achieved in a single electoral cycle.
“Transformation does not happen overnight,” he stated. “It is built through consistency, courage and conviction.
“Over the past months, from the streets of Karshi to the crowded paths of Nyanya, from the markets of Wuse to the quiet resilience of Gui, from the homes of the forgotten to the voices of the hopeful, you rose. You stood. You walked. You spoke. You believed. And for that, I bow my head in gratitude.
“Let it be known, and let history record, that what we witnessed in this election was not merely a contest for office, but a declaration of dignity by a people who have refused to surrender their future,” he added.
Rather than dwell on the loss, Paul focused on what he described as an unprecedented wave of grassroots engagement across AMAC — from Karshi and Nyanya to Wuse and Gui.
According to him, the campaign awakened civic consciousness among residents who are determined to demand accountable leadership.
He said he has accepted the official declaration of results but remains encouraged by the level of participation recorded during the poll. The turnout and commitment of volunteers, he added, signal the birth of a sustained political awakening in the area council.
Paul also thanked party members and supporters who contributed resources, time and energy to the campaign, insisting their efforts had permanently reshaped political conversations in AMAC.
In his remarks, he acknowledged the inspiration drawn from former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, noting that leadership must first be grounded in moral responsibility before political ambition.
The ADC candidate assured supporters that the campaign structure built during the election would not be dismantled but strengthened, expressing confidence that the vision for a “new AMAC” remains alive.
“This is not a conclusion,” he said. “It is the foundation of something enduring.”
He concluded by urging residents to sustain civic engagement beyond elections, describing democracy as an ongoing responsibility rather than a periodic event.
