The political struggle for the Abuja South Federal Constituency is increasingly taking the shape of a contest between two men who are each carrying their own baggage, raising uncomfortable questions about the quality of choices before voters ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election.
On one side is Hon. Danladi Chiya, former Chairman of Kwali Area Council and now the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer for Abuja South, following the party’s primary election. On the other is the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Abdulrahman Ajiya, popularly known as Abayaro, whose political future within the APC has been clouded by allegations of anti-party activities.
Rather than presenting either politician as an undisputed political saviour, the emerging contest has opened a much more uncomfortable conversation: is Abuja South being offered a genuine choice, or simply a choice between two politicians surrounded by serious political questions?
Chiya’s emergence as the APC flag bearer has intensified scrutiny of his political record, particularly the controversy surrounding alleged debts said to have accumulated during his tenure as Kwali Area Council chairman.
Reports and political voices within the area have put the alleged liability at more than ₦42 billion, with some groups and stakeholders now calling for a comprehensive probe into how the debt allegedly accumulated, what it represents, and whether public funds were properly accounted for during the period in question.
The demand for investigation is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as Chiya moves from the leadership of a local council into a fresh bid for federal legislative office.
The question is straightforward: before asking Abuja South voters to entrust him with a larger public mandate, shouldn’t Chiya first provide answers about the financial controversy surrounding his previous tenure?
The allegations do not, by themselves, establish criminal liability. But they raise legitimate public-interest questions that cannot simply be buried beneath campaign rallies, political endorsements and photographs with supporters.
The issue is particularly sensitive because the alleged ₦42 billion figure is not a minor administrative discrepancy. If properly established, such a liability would represent a substantial financial burden for a local government administration and would demand serious scrutiny.
Consequently, calls by some groups for Chiya’s records and tenure to be investigated have added an uncomfortable dimension to his campaign.
But if Chiya’s political record is under scrutiny, Ajiya’s is hardly free from controversy.
The incumbent lawmaker has also found himself facing questions over his relationship with the APC and allegations of anti-party activities.
In February 2026, reports emerged that the APC in Abaji Ward suspended Ajiya over alleged anti-party activities. The reports said the action followed allegations that he acted against the interests of the party, placing his relationship with sections of the APC structure under renewed scrutiny.
That development has created its own political paradox.
Ajiya remains the sitting representative of Abuja South and continues to maintain visibility and relationships across the constituency, but allegations of anti-party conduct have raised questions about whether he remains fully aligned with the political structure under which he won his mandate.
For a sitting federal lawmaker, the allegation is serious. For a party seeking to present a united front ahead of 2027, it is even more serious.
Yet, just as Chiya’s supporters can point to his emergence as the APC’s candidate, Ajiya’s supporters can point to his experience, incumbency and established political network.
And therein lies the real controversy.
The emerging Abuja South contest is not simply Chiya versus Ajiya.
It is a contest between two political narratives — one candidate facing renewed calls for answers over an alleged ₦42 billion debt controversy linked to his time as council chairman, and an incumbent facing allegations of anti-party conduct within the same political structure.
Neither man can reasonably expect to walk into the 2027 contest without scrutiny.
For Chiya, the question is whether he will confront the ₦42 billion controversy head-on and support calls for a transparent examination of the financial records of his administration.
For Ajiya, the question is whether he can convincingly explain the anti-party allegations and demonstrate where his loyalty stands as the APC moves towards another election.
And for the APC, an even bigger question looms: can the party manage the collision between an officially recognised flag bearer and an incumbent whose relationship with parts of the party structure has already become contentious?
The danger is that what should ordinarily be a contest over ideas, legislation, development and accountability could degenerate into a battle of political personalities, accusations and competing camps.
But Abuja South voters deserve more.
They deserve to know not only who is campaigning, but what each candidate has done with public trust before asking for another mandate.
They deserve answers about financial records.
They deserve explanations about alleged anti-party conduct.
They deserve transparency from the party.
And, most importantly, they deserve candidates who are prepared to subject their records to public scrutiny.
As the 2027 political contest begins to take shape, Chiya may have secured the APC ticket, but that does not end the questions surrounding his political record.
Likewise, Ajiya’s incumbency does not erase the allegations confronting him.
The Abuja South race is therefore shaping up to be less about who can command the biggest crowd and more about who can survive the toughest questions.
And with the ₦42 billion controversy hanging over Chiya and anti-party allegations shadowing Ajiya, neither politician can afford to assume that political visibility is a substitute for accountability.