The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has declared the Abuja Municipal Area Council as the first political battleground ahead of the February 2026 area councils election, following her defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Kingibe stated this on Thursday, barely 24 hours after she dumped the Labour Party for the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The senator officially registered as an ADC member at her Wuse Ward in AMAC on Thursday, describing the defection as the beginning of an intense political contest rather than a symbolic exercise.
Addressing journalists and party supporters after receiving her membership card, Kingibe said the party must set its sights on sweeping the FCT’s six area councils, starting from her home base.
She said, “We have a ‘battle’ and a lot of work ahead of us. We have six area councils, Mr Chairman, that must be ours. It starts with AMAC.
“There are some of these problems. First of all, let me tell you something. AMAC is my local government, and Wuse is my ward. That’s why we are taking the card here today.”
The event also marked the formal unveiling of the ADC’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the FCT, with party flags presented as a signal of readiness for the February polls.
Political observers believe Kingibe’s entry into the ADC could significantly alter the balance of power in the FCT, where the contest for grassroots control is expected to intensify ahead of the 2026 area council elections and the 2027 general polls.
Lending weight to the development, former National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, described Kingibe’s defection as a strong boost to the party’s rising profile, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Nwosu, her decision reflected a broader national realignment driven by public dissatisfaction with the status quo.
He said, “This is the FCT, and for the number one senator in Abuja to be declaring for the party is a very warm sign. And we are receiving her gladly. But the critical signpost is this: Nigeria must move on.
“Almost everybody has decided that Nigeria must move on, and the party must be ADC. So, the ADC has become the leading party in Nigeria. And the journey we’ve started now, you can see with Senator Ireti Kingibe.”
Nwosu, however, warned that the party would not throw its doors open indiscriminately, stressing that the ADC was cautious about admitting politicians driven purely by personal gain.
He added, “We don’t want all of these people whose stock in trade is all about money. Therefore, we want to move all the governors and everybody into ADC. No, we are picky. There are a lot of people who have already come in, very strong people.
“The whole of the Labour Party has moved into ADC. Many PDP and APC members have also moved into our party. I can assure you, before December next year, more than 70 per cent of APC will also move into ADC. Our democracy has to change.”
Also speaking, the National Treasurer of the ADC, Mani Ahmed, said the party was fully prepared for electoral contests at both local and national levels, citing widespread public discontent as a driving force.
He stated that the ADC was positioning itself as a clear alternative to existing governance patterns.
Ahmed said, “The ADC is battle-ready to grab power at the centre and elsewhere because we have a lot of confidence and we have a lot of hope in our preparations. We have strategised very well.
“A lot of the things happening in the country are not necessarily pleasant with our people. We are bringing about a situation where they will understand the difference between what we offer and what is currently the scheme of things in this country.”
From the constituency perspective, Head of Senator Kingibe’s constituency office and national ex-official representing the FCT, Emmanuel Destiny, described the senator’s defection as the beginning of a new political chapter for residents of the territory, especially women and young people.
He urged women and youths to rally behind Kingibe despite the challenges of operating as an opposition force in the FCT, insisting that Nigerians were desperate for change.
Destiny said Nigerians need the change that is deserved, and ADC is the party. The people are tired of suffering, much starvation, and insecurity.
