AMAC Election: SDP Candidate Vows to Boost IGR

Ahead of the February 21, 2026 Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) election, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Obina Simon, has pledged to strengthen the revenue base of the council if elected.

Dr. Obina said he would not depend solely on monthly allocations from the Federation Account, but would significantly improve the council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund developmental projects across AMAC.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the SDP candidate criticized the incumbent chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, over what he described as poor performance and neglect of infrastructure development. He stated that his experience and credentials position him to effectively transform the area council.

Dr. Obina also decried the high level of racketeering in AMAC, noting that his administration would digitalize the IGR process to curb corruption and ensure transparency.

“What we have realized in AMAC is that part of the revenue is used to compensate some politicians. I don’t have a problem with that, but there must be a fair arrangement. You cannot take 70 percent and leave the council with 30 percent; that doesn’t make sense,” he said.

“We will work with consultants because they are creating jobs, but a consultant must declare what he has collected. Everything must be digitalized so we can track revenue. I should be able to sit in my office, press a screen, and know exactly what has been collected. Anything collected must go directly into the council’s account. You cannot just say, ‘this is what I collected’—no.”

The SDP candidate further revealed plans to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, lamenting the deplorable condition of primary schools in AMAC.

“For education, remember I am a professional teacher. I taught for seven to eight years in Katsina. I will declare a state of emergency in education in AMAC, where pupils are sitting on the floor. If education fails under my watch, it is a slap on my face,” he said.

He cited instances where schools lack basic facilities, including a school in Nyanya where pupils reportedly use classrooms as toilets due to the absence of proper sanitation facilities. According to him, public schools under his administration would be repositioned to compete favorably with private schools.

Dr. Obina also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair election.

“This is the first time an opposition is asking for nothing but a free and fair election. I am not asking anyone to help me rig the election. The only favor I am asking for is that the election be free and fair. INEC’s credibility is on the line. The FCT election is a litmus test ahead of 2027. We have also drawn the attention of embassies to this exercise, and I believe INEC will do the right thing,” he said.