Peter Obi Endorses ADC Candidate for Abuja Council Election, Vows to Campaign in the Streets

In a significant political development ahead of the Federal Capital Territory’s Area Council elections, Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has thrown his considerable influence behind Dr. Moses Paul, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The endorsement, which includes a promise from Obi to personally “storm the streets” and campaign for Paul, signals a potential shift in the political dynamics of the nation’s capital.

A Pledge of Grassroots Support

The announcement came during a special independence program held at the Merit House in Abuja. The event, organized by Dr. Paul and his slate of councillorship candidates, was designed to sensitize AMAC residents ahead of the official campaign kick-off for the council election scheduled for February 2026.

Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State known for his populist appeal, did not mince words in explaining his support. He stated that his endorsement stems from a firm belief in Paul’s capacity to deliver on his promises and not disappoint the electorate. This public alignment between a national figure like Obi and a local council candidate is a strategic move that could galvanize voters and reshape the political conversation around local governance.

“I support Paul’s candidacy because I know he would not disappoint the people, if elected to lead AMAC,” Obi declared, underscoring his confidence in the ADC flagbearer. His commitment to hit the campaign trail personally suggests a deep investment in the race, treating the local election with a level of importance typically reserved for higher-office contests.

“AMAC Has Failed”: A Candidate’s Bold Declaration

Dr. Moses Paul, the central figure in this burgeoning political movement, used the platform to deliver a stark assessment of the current state of AMAC. Under the resonant banner of “We Don’t Tire!”, Paul articulated the frustrations of a populace he described as weary of “unfulfilled promises, neglect, and leaders who abandon the people once in power.”

His message was one of unvarnished truth. “The bitter truth must be told: AMAC has failed,” Paul stated unequivocally. He then proceeded to catalog what he framed as a systemic collapse of basic services and infrastructure under the current administration.

A Litany of Grievances: Where Paul Says AMAC Fell Short

Paul’s critique was comprehensive, touching on nearly every facet of local governance. He painted a picture of an area council in distress, highlighting several critical failures:

Economic Strangulation and Legal Quagmires: Paul pointed to the markets of AMAC, which he claimed are “trapped in endless litigations.” This situation, he argued, stifles commerce and creates uncertainty for traders and entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the local economy.

Collapse of Essential Services: The ADC candidate was particularly scathing in his assessment of public services. He declared that “waste management has collapsed,” leading to environmental degradation and public health concerns. Furthermore, he alleged that public schools were “abandoned for months,” a grave charge that speaks to the neglect of future generations.

Healthcare and Security in Crisis: Paul described the area’s health centres as “dead,” implying a complete lack of functional medical services for residents. Compounding this, he asserted that “insecurity is everywhere,” suggesting a breakdown of law and order that makes daily life perilous for the average citizen.

Hostile Business Environment: He argued that local businesses are “strangled by multiple taxation,” a common complaint among small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria that hinders economic growth and innovation.

“This is not governance. This is abandonment,” Paul concluded, framing the incumbent’s tenure not merely as underperformance but as a dereliction of duty.

From Critique to Vision: The Promise of a New AMAC

However, Paul was careful to position his campaign not as a mere lamentation of past failures but as a proactive blueprint for renewal. He emphasized that his mission is fundamentally about “building a new AMAC.” His core pledge is a triad of restorative principles: to restore dignity, prosperity, and service to governance in the Area Council.

This vision suggests a holistic approach to leadership. “Dignity” likely refers to both the self-respect of a well-served populace and the integrity of the office itself. “Prosperity” points to an aggressive agenda for economic revitalization, untangling the litigious knots around markets and reviewing the tax structure to foster business growth. “Service” is the foundational promise—a return to a government that sees its primary role as serving the people, not itself.

The “We Don’t Tire!” slogan is a masterstroke of political messaging. It simultaneously acknowledges the exhaustion of the electorate—the “tire” that comes from years of perceived neglect—while projecting an image of relentless, untiring energy and commitment from the candidate and his team. It’s a promise of perseverance in the face of entrenched challenges.

The Ripple Effect: What This Endorsement Means for FCT Politics

Peter Obi’s endorsement is more than a simple celebrity backing; it is a strategic intervention with potential ripple effects across the FCT and beyond. Since the 2023 presidential election, Obi has maintained a powerful connection with a vast, youthful, and politically engaged demographic often referred to as the “Obidient” movement. His decision to campaign for a local candidate demonstrates an understanding that real change often begins at the grassroots level.

For Dr. Moses Paul, Obi’s support provides instant credibility and a massive boost in name recognition. It also grants access to a ready-made, passionate volunteer base that could be instrumental in door-to-door campaigning, voter education, and election-day logistics. In a local election where voter turnout can be low, this mobilized base could prove decisive.

For the electorate in AMAC, this development elevates the council election from a mundane local affair to a referendum on a broader philosophy of governance that Obi represents. It asks voters to see their choice for council chairman as part of a larger national struggle for accountable leadership.

As the campaign for the February 2026 election officially begins, all eyes will be on AMAC. The alliance between a national political force and a local candidate promising radical renewal has set the stage for a fiercely contested and highly symbolic race. The people of AMAC, weary from what Paul describes as years of abandonment, now have a clear, high-profile alternative. The promise of Peter Obi storming the streets alongside Moses Paul is a powerful image, one that seeks to transform the energy of a presidential campaign into tangible change at the very heart of the community.

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