In what is shaping into a fierce internal reckoning within the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the Federal Capital Territory, a strongly worded political statement by Arc. Suleiman Mohammed Zuba has ignited fresh controversy, exposing deep fractures, alleged incompetence, and bitter accusations following the party’s electoral losses in Gwagwalada Area Council.
The statement, which combines commendation with scathing criticism, cautions against undermining the principle of local government autonomy due to what it describes as the “arrogance and reckless political decisions” of the Abaji Area Council Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Umar, popularly known as “Pal Pal.”
According to Suleiman, the Abaji chairman represents a troubling example of accidental leadership, emerging from what he termed a disputed APC primary contest involving Alhaji Adamu Loko. He questioned the legitimacy and credibility of the process that produced Umar, suggesting that his emergence remains controversial and deeply unsettling to many indigenes.
He further painted a damning portrait of leadership in Abaji, alleging that the chairman lacks the intellectual depth and administrative competence expected of someone occupying such a critical public office. The critique extended beyond governance into ambition, as he ridiculed Umar’s reported senatorial aspirations, arguing that the responsibilities of the National Assembly demand far more capacity, exposure, and legislative understanding than what is currently on display.
Drawing a sharp contrast between experience and what he described as political opportunism, Suleiman warned against what he called a dangerous trend of promoting mediocrity over merit. He stressed that the National Assembly is not an experimental ground but a platform reserved for individuals with proven competence, legislative experience, and intellectual rigor.
The statement then pivoted to Gwagwalada, where the APC suffered a significant electoral defeat, losing six out of ten wards despite what was described as overwhelming structural and financial advantages. Suleiman alleged that the party had access to massive funding running into hundreds of millions, if not billions of naira, as well as institutional support including security agencies, electoral officials, and traditional structures.
Despite these advantages, the APC’s loss was described as both shocking and self-inflicted. Suleiman alleged that internal mismanagement, diversion of campaign resources, and poor leadership decisions contributed heavily to the defeat. He claimed that funds meant for electoral success were instead funneled into private accounts, a claim he said would be backed with evidence at the appropriate time.
Particular criticism was directed at the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Jibril Giri, whose administration was accused of failing across key sectors. The statement highlighted what it described as a complete absence of meaningful infrastructural development, deteriorating healthcare services, neglect of educational systems, and a lack of support for rural farmers.
In addition, the persistent challenges of poor water supply, erratic electricity, and worsening insecurity—especially deadly herder-farmer clashes—were cited as indicators of governance failure. Suleiman lamented the recurring loss of lives among farmers, vigilantes, and young people, describing the situation as both tragic and avoidable.
He also accused the council leadership of failing to manage internal party disputes, noting that unresolved conflicts before and after the primaries weakened party cohesion and contributed to its eventual collapse at the polls.
The emergence of Comrade Kasim Mohammed as Chairman-elect under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was presented as a direct reflection of public dissatisfaction with APC leadership in the area. Suleiman argued that the electorate’s decision was not accidental but a deliberate rejection of what he termed bad governance and political arrogance.
He dismissed the APC’s decision to challenge the election outcome at the FCT Election Tribunal as both futile and deceptive, suggesting that it is merely an attempt to mislead supporters and distract from internal failures.
The statement also pushed back strongly against recent attacks on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. Suleiman described the criticisms as baseless and misdirected, questioning the logic of blaming the minister for electoral outcomes in areas where he allegedly had no direct involvement.
He also referenced Philip Aduda, asking rhetorically how the senator could have influenced results in Gwagwalada, particularly in wards where APC suffered clear defeats.
According to him, the election results—including losses by key party figures in their polling units and wards—demonstrate a broader rejection by the people rather than any external manipulation.
Suleiman concluded by calling on APC leaders to abandon blame games and take full responsibility for what he described as glaring incompetence, warning that continued denial would only deepen the party’s crisis in the FCT.
The statement, signed and circulated widely among political stakeholders, underscores a growing atmosphere of tension, accountability demands, and internal rebellion within the APC, as the fallout from the Gwagwalada elections continues to reverberate across the territory.