Dr Moses Paul, the African Democratic Congress ADC candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC chairmanship, has criticised the current leadership of the council, describing it as visionless, while declaring his ambition to lead an inclusive, people centred administration focused on service delivery rather than party politics.
Dr Paul was sharply critical of the current state of governance in AMAC, despite its strategic importance and revenue potential.
“AMAC is led by visionless people who do not even understand the narrative of what it means to lead the most important geographical space in Africa and in Nigeria,” he said. “This is the administrative headquarters of the country.”
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, Dr Paul dismissed reports suggesting disloyalty to the ADC following comments linked to the Federal Capital Territory minister, insisting his political commitment is rooted in development and the welfare of residents.
“This is good and my attention was drawn to this misleading information that is put out there,” he said. “I said very clearly that my commitment is to development. My commitment is to ensure that the suffering people, the excluded people, those who deserve service, who deserves health care centers, people who deserve education, people who deserve clean water regardless of party, regardless of individuals.”
Dr Paul stressed that his engagement across political lines does not amount to abandoning his ideology, noting that he enjoys strong backing within the ADC and beyond.
“It is not true that I have excluded my political ideology,” he said. “I have gotten huge support from Mr Peter Obi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Rebbe Shola and all the members of the ADC in such a very unique way.”
He added that Peter Obi has publicly identified with his campaign. “On the 1st of October, Mr Peter Obi declared that he was going to be on the street with me and since then he’s been to places with me even within the FCT to support primary health care centers and educational centers,” Dr Paul said.
The ADC candidate said his appeal to stakeholders across divides was based on a shared desire for accountable governance and development in AMAC.
“If truly you love this country and you want to ensure that the suffering people, especially in the FCT, want to see a municipality that is comparable to London, to New York, to Paris, where you have accountability and transparency, then I should be your candidate,” he stated.
He highlighted poor infrastructure, education and healthcare as evidence of leadership failure. “To have rural roads that are completely impossible, where goods cannot connect to the people, where you can’t have ambulances to connect people to hospitals, where children are sitting on the floor,” he said.
Outlining his plans if elected, Dr Paul promised universal access to education and improved healthcare services. “Regardless of whose child that you are, you will have education at the very least. Everybody will go to school here in AMAC,” he said. “I would ensure that we have primary health care centers that are equipped.”
He also addressed environmental sanitation and waste management, citing his academic background. “I have a PhD in environmental resource planning. I know what to do where waste management is concerned,” he said.
On infrastructure and security, he pledged to prioritise rural connectivity and lighting. “I’m going to ensure that all the rural roads are fixed. We should have street lighting that connect the security of our people,” he said.
Dr Paul criticised multiple taxation and the activities of touts within the council, describing the situation as unacceptable. “Today, you have multiple taxations. People can barely do business in AMAC,” he said. “Touts are the people that are embarrassing people every day. In the number one council in the country, it is unacceptable.”
He said his administration would introduce a transparent revenue system. “We will have a one stop shop where people will not be confused on where to pay their tenement rate,” he said.
On working with the FCT administration, Dr Paul expressed support for local government autonomy and aligned himself with efforts to strengthen grassroots governance. “Local governance is what affects and impacts the people,” he said. “At the end of the day, local governance is what affects the people.”
He argued that failures at the local level explain broader national challenges. “When you have visionless leaders at the local governance levels, this is why Nigeria does not move forward,” he said.
Dr Paul said he has the experience to navigate governance structures and deliver results. “I understand legislation. I understand policy. I understand the nuances around government, and I know exactly what to do,” he said.
Clarifying his openness to cross party support, Dr Paul insisted his campaign remains firmly under the ADC. “I’m running under the ADC and the ADC is a platform for clarity, for inclusion,” he said. “I know that I’m here to be the chairman of everybody.”
He said support from any political actor would be welcome if it aligns with progress. “If the president today wants to support me because of the things I’m doing, I will accept it wholeheartedly,” he said.
Addressing concerns about political pressure and corruption, Dr Paul said his values are anchored on service and accountability. “If you’re about service, if you’re about result, if you’re about people, then there will be no issues or problems,” he said. “The issue has to be focused on education, on health, on livelihood, on security of our people.”
On his edge over other candidates, Dr Paul pointed to his grassroots roots and track record in the FCT. “I went to primary school here in the FCT and I hold my PhD here,” he said. “I have been fixing primary schools here in the FCT in the last 5, 7 years. The records and the data are there.”
He also cited international exposure and youth engagement initiatives. “I understand what it means to be in a place where you have clean water. I know what it means to be in a place where you have security,” he said. “I have redirected and also reoriented young people across board, particularly in the FCT.”
Dr Paul said his goal is to transform AMAC into a model council whose progress would resonate nationally. “Being under the African Democratic Congress gives me an edge to lead the most important local council in Nigeria,” he said. “This is what makes me the best man for the job.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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