Crunch Times News

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Christopher Maikalangu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election.

Maikalangu, who is also the incumbent chairman, secured a decisive victory after polling 40,295 votes out of the 62,861 valid votes cast in the election.

Election Breakdown

Announcing the results, the AMAC Collation Officer, Prof. Andrew Abue, confirmed that Maikalangu met all legal requirements and scored the highest number of votes to be returned elected.

According to the official figures:

Total registered voters: 837,338

Accredited voters: 65,676

Total votes cast: 65,197

Valid votes: 62,861

Rejected votes: 2,336

Party Performance

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) placed third with 3,398 votes.

Other results include:

APGA – 1,111

SDP – 2,185

NNPP – 1,694

YPP – 421

ADP – 588

Accord – 403

ZLP – 189

APM – 122

NRM – 73

Boot Party – 43

APP – 32

PRP – 90

Action Alliance – 108

Reactions

Speaking after the announcement, APC Collation Agent Gambo Babale described the election as credible and transparent, praising INEC for conducting what he called a smooth and well-organized process across polling units, ward centres, and the final collation venue.

He noted that opposition parties also secured victories in some councillorship seats, saying this demonstrated fairness in the exercise.

Similarly, the YPP Ward Collation Agent commended the transparency of the process and congratulated Maikalangu on his victory.

Result sheets were signed by party agents from ADC, APC, APGA, YPP, and NNPP present at the collation centre.

What This Means

Maikalangu’s re-election strengthens APC’s hold on the AMAC council and positions the party ahead of future political contests in the Federal Capital Territory. 

Supporters say the renewed mandate gives the chairman another opportunity to deliver more development projects and democratic dividends to residents.

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the results from Nyanyan and Karishi wards, the final outstanding polling areas in the ongoing Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election.

With these declarations, collation across all wards is now nearing completion, paving the way for the final area council result.

Nyanyan Ward Results

The Ward Collation Officer, Chioma Agu, presented the figures as follows:

Registered voters: 60,193

Accredited voters: 5,596

Total valid votes: 5,377

Rejected votes: 204

Total votes cast: 5,581

Votes by party:

A – 37

AA – 4

ADC – 1,035

ADP – 31

APC – 3,537

APGA – 32

APM – 2

APP – 2

BP – 14

NNPP – 16

NRM – 2

PDP – 522

PRP – 5

SDP – 115

YPP – 20

ZLP – 3

The APC recorded the highest number of votes in the ward.

Karishi Ward Results

Announcing the Karishi figures, Ward Collation Officer Eunice Agu stated:

Registered voters: 17,701

Accredited voters: 4,103

Total valid votes: 3,948

Rejected votes: 145

Total votes cast: 4,093

Votes by party:

A – 13

AA – 0

ADC – 186

ADP – 15

APC – 2,309

APGA – 9

APM – 10

APP – 1

BP – 7

NNPP – 1,100

NRM – 2

PDP – 181

PRP – 2

SDP – 103

YPP – 8

ZLP – 2

Again, APC led the tally, while NNPP followed in second place.

Awaiting Final Declaration

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), results from 10 other wards had earlier been collated. With Nyanyan and Karishi now concluded, INEC has commenced the final computation of the overall area council outcome.

The official declaration of the AMAC chairmanship winner is expected once collation is fully completed.

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

By Blessing Okola 

Abuja

The Federal Government has taken a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s protection framework for women and girls with the official launch of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Abia State.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman- Ibrahim described the establishment of the Centre as a strategic and necessary intervention in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which she noted remains pervasive, deeply underreported, and increasingly complex in both physical and digital forms.

“Today marks a major step in strengthening the protection architecture for women and girls in Nigeria,” the Minister stated. “The establishment of this Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides a safe, confidential, and integrated platform for medical care, psychosocial support, legal referral, and justice services for survivors.”

Head, Press and Public Relations FMWASD, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau in a statement issued to blueprint on Thursday in abuja, the Minister emphasised that the Centre represents a structured, survivor-centred response embedded within Nigeria’s broader national social development framework.

She disclosed that as of November 2025, Nigeria has fifty (50) Sexual Assault Referral Centres across twenty-four (24) States, collectively assisting over fifty-eight thousand (58,134) survivors. According to her, the figures remain insufficient compared to the magnitude of reported and unreported cases nationwide.

“A functional SARC ensures that survivors receive confidential, survivor-centred, and integrated services under one coordinated framework,” she said, noting that fragmented responses often compound trauma and weaken justice outcomes.

She further highlighted the rising threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including cyberstalking, digital coercion, online trafficking, image-based abuse, and coordinated digital harassment.

“These emerging threats demand stronger institutional response systems that combine legal, psychosocial, medical, and digital protection mechanisms. This Centre is not only relevant for today’s realities but essential for addressing evolving forms of violence confronting women and girls.”

She commended complementary programmes such as the Osusu Abaala Women Palm-Oil Collective, which aims to strengthen women’s incomes and reduce economic vulnerability—one of the root drivers of gender-based violence.

“When women are economically secure, socially organised, and institutionally supported, their exposure to exploitation, abuse, and dependency significantly declines,” she affirmed.

Reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment, the Minister stated that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development remains focused on strengthening the national GBV response architecture through policy reforms, survivor support systems, data-driven coordination, and strategic partnerships under the Renewed Hope Social Development Agenda.

The Ministér commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring 2026 as the Year for Social Development and Families, describing the declaration as a bold step toward repositioning protection services as a core pillar of national stability, human capital development, and social justice.

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

It came as a surprise to many opposition politicians and civil society organisations on Wednesday when President Bola Tinubu swiftly signed the amended Electoral Act into law—barely 24 hours after its passage by the National Assembly.

The rapid assent has triggered widespread criticism, particularly from the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), which had urged the President to withhold approval over what it described as “dangerous ambiguities” capable of undermining electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Controversial Network Failure Clause

At the centre of the controversy is a new provision that permits Presiding Officers to rely on Form EC8A for manual result collation whenever electronic transmission is disrupted by alleged network failure.

The CNPP argues that while network challenges may exist in remote areas, the amendment fails to establish a clear, transparent, and independently verifiable system for determining when such failures actually occur.

In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the coalition warned that leaving the decision solely to polling officials creates loopholes that could be exploited for electoral manipulation.

“In modern electoral governance, transparency must be anchored on measurable, auditable, and tamper-proof procedures,” the group stated.

Fears of Manipulation and Security Risks

Beyond transparency concerns, the CNPP also warned that the provision could expose officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to public suspicion and hostility.

According to the group, citizens often verify network availability with their personal devices. Any contradiction between public access and officials’ claims of failure could spark distrust, confrontation, and possible unrest at polling units.

The coalition fears this may not only compromise the credibility of election results but also endanger the safety of election personnel.

“Step Backwards” for Electoral Reform

Nigeria has made gradual progress toward technology-driven elections, including digital accreditation and electronic transmission of results.

However, critics say the amendment risks reversing those gains by reopening space for manual collation processes that lack strict oversight.

The CNPP described the move as a regression that could erode public confidence in the electoral system.

The group proposed several safeguards, including:

Independent real-time network verification systems

Mandatory authentication and timestamp checks before manual collation

Clear sanctions for false network failure claims

Third-party monitoring accessible to parties and observers

It urged Tinubu to return the bill with recommendations that prioritize technology and accountability.

Despite Pressure, Tinubu Assents

Despite mounting opposition from political groups, civil society actors, and election observers, President Tinubu proceeded with the signing at the State House Abuja around 5 p.m., witnessed by top lawmakers.

The bill had been fast-tracked through the legislature just days after INEC unveiled its roadmap for the 2027 elections.

Civil Society Reacts

Several civil society organisations expressed shock at the development. Among them were ActionAid and Yiaga Africa, both of which have long advocated for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results to reduce vote rigging.

Last week, activists and opposition figures protested at the National Assembly, demanding stronger technological safeguards to ensure credibility.

However, members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) defended the hybrid system, arguing that unreliable network coverage in rural communities makes full electronic transmission impractical.

What This Means for 2027

With the amendment now law, attention is shifting to how it will be implemented and whether the safeguards demanded by stakeholders will be introduced through regulations or further reforms.

For many Nigerians, the debate highlights a larger question: will electoral laws strengthen transparency—or create fresh opportunities for manipulation?

As the 2027 elections approach, trust in the system may depend on how convincingly those concerns are addressed.

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians for forgiveness over any wrongs he may have committed, urging citizens to embrace peace, unity, and moral renewal as Muslims commence the holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of this year’s Tafsir at the State House Mosque in Abuja, the president reflected on the spiritual significance of the season and the need for compassion and reconciliation across the nation.

Tinubu noted that this year’s Ramadan coincides with the Christian observance of Lent, describing the overlap as a powerful reminder of the shared values that unite both faiths — sacrifice, discipline, prayer, and self-denial.

“Ramadan coincides with Lent, reminding us of our common commitment to sacrifice, discipline, prayer, and self-denial,” he said. “The essence of this season is to do good to others, share love and faith, and forgive. 

If I have sinned against any Nigerian, I ask that you forgive me.”

The president emphasized that fasting should not be limited to abstaining from food and drink but should also reflect inner transformation through kindness, forgiveness, and acts of service to humanity.

He further called on Nigerians of all religious backgrounds to pray for the country and support ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry, and insecurity.

Also speaking at the event, Abdulwahid Suleiman, Chief Imam of the mosque, expressed gratitude to Allah for granting Muslims the opportunity to witness another Ramadan. 

He commended the president’s leadership and offered prayers for wisdom, strength, and good health for Tinubu and his administration, while asking for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity for the nation.

As Ramadan and Lent unfold side by side, the moment serves as a timely call for Nigerians to reflect, renew their faith, and strengthen the bonds that hold the country together.

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on residents of Abuja to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections, describing the polls as a defining moment for Nigerians seeking meaningful political change.

In a message shared on his social media platforms, Atiku revealed that he joined other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, to engage voters across the capital city on the importance of participating in the elections.

According to him, the council polls will serve as a critical test of Nigeria’s electoral system and the credibility of those responsible for conducting free and fair elections.

“This election is very important. It will say a lot about how ready the managers of our elections are to deliver free, fair and credible polls,” he said.

Atiku stressed that the vote also presents citizens with an opportunity to demonstrate their readiness to demand better governance and accountability.

He encouraged residents to turn out in large numbers to support ADC candidates, describing them as individuals with the competence, capacity, and character required to provide effective leadership at the grassroots level.

“Our party has fielded candidates with competence, capacity and character to offer quality leadership across local councils in Abuja,” he added.

The former vice president further urged voters not to succumb to threats or intimidation, emphasizing that civic courage is essential to strengthening democracy.

Atiku also took aim at the APC-led administration under President Bola Tinubu, accusing the government of failing to address pressing national issues affecting citizens.

He argued that the FCT elections offer a starting point for Nigerians to begin removing the ruling party from power.

“The APC-led Federal Government has failed citizens on many fronts. APC must be voted out in the coming elections, and we should start with the FCT elections,” he stated.

As political activities intensify ahead of the polls, all eyes will be on Abuja to see whether voters heed the call for change or maintain the status quo.