‘Christian-Christian’ Ticket: Why ADC Lost AMAC – Sambo

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) failed to secure any seats in the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning five of six councils. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) captured only Gwagwalada, leaving the ADC without representation.

Speaking on Arise News, Director of News and Political Editor Sumner Sambo attributed ADC’s loss in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to multiple factors, including the candidates’ non-indigenous status. “The ADC chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates were not from the area, which likely affected voter support,” he said. He added that the ticket’s religious alignment may also have influenced voters. “It was more of a Christian-Christian ticket, and that may have angered some voters, affecting the outcome,” Sambo noted.

Sambo pointed to a long-term voting pattern in the FCT, highlighting shifts across presidential and National Assembly elections. In 2011 and 2015, Goodluck Jonathan won in the FCT, while Buhari lost despite winning nationally in 2015. By 2023, voters turned to the Labour Party, reflecting a trend of moving between parties depending on candidates and context.

Focusing on AMAC, Sambo explained that ADC’s campaign had limited reach. The council, a cosmopolitan area and the administrative headquarters of the FCT, includes 49 villages outside its districts. “ADC did not campaign extensively in these villages, which likely hindered their performance,” he said.