The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abuja South Federal Constituency, Hon. Danladi Chiya, has responded to concerns raised by some of his online critics over his invitation for them to meet and discuss their disagreements, insisting that he has never threatened anyone and that the proposed engagement is intended to be peaceful, open and constructive.
The former Kwali Area Council chairman recently challenged those who have consistently criticised his record and political ambition online to come forward for a direct conversation, saying he would prefer to hear their concerns personally and brainstorm with them on practical ways to address the challenges confronting Abuja South.
However, following the invitation, some critics reportedly expressed concern that accepting the invitation could expose them to intimidation, arrest or physical confrontation.
Chiya, who was contacted by the press over the concerns, rejected the suggestion that his invitation was designed to target or intimidate his critics.
He said he had never threatened any critic and maintained that anyone who chooses to attend should do so freely and without fear.
According to Chiya, the engagement can be made public and conducted with full security arrangements to ensure that participants and observers can attend safely.
He further suggested that individuals interested in attending could register publicly ahead of the meeting so that their participation would be known and transparent rather than allowing speculation to surround the purpose of the gathering.
The APC candidate said the invitation was borne out of his desire to understand why some individuals have taken strong positions against him and to hear what alternatives they believe could produce better results for the people of Abuja South.
Chiya argued that some of the criticism directed at political office holders does not always take into account the bureaucracy and institutional limitations within government.
He maintained that no chairman can solve every problem at once, stressing that government operates through established procedures, institutions and administrative processes.
The former Kwali chairman also pointed to his record in local government administration, insisting that his tenure and leadership experience should be examined based on available records.
“My records are there and nobody can say I underperformed,” Chiya said in his response to the press.
He also maintained that he never owed workers during his tenure and that he consistently sought to protect the interests of ordinary citizens.
Chiya said his experience as Kwali Area Council chairman and as chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) had exposed him to the realities and limitations of grassroots administration.
He said that experience was part of the reason he believes he can contribute to the development of Abuja South at the federal level.
The APC candidate’s call for engagement comes as political scrutiny around his candidacy continues to grow. Chiya emerged as the APC candidate for Abuja South after the party’s 2026 primary, where reports said he defeated incumbent federal lawmaker Abdulrahman Ajiya and other aspirants.
The Abuja South Federal Constituency comprises Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali Area Councils.
For Chiya, the ongoing criticism should not become a reason for political hostility.
He said those who believe he has failed in areas of governance should be prepared to explain their concerns and, more importantly, propose what they believe should have been done differently.
He therefore reiterated his invitation for critics to choose a date and participate in what he described as an open conversation on the future of Abuja South.
The former chairman said he was willing to answer questions from those who attend, provided the discussion remained focused on issues and solutions.
He also suggested that some of the negative perceptions surrounding him may be politically motivated, arguing that individuals should not rely on stereotypes or assumptions without giving him an opportunity to respond directly to the issues being raised.
Chiya said he was prepared to face questions about his record and political plans but expressed concern that continued criticism without an opportunity for direct engagement could amount to what he described as political “witch-hunting.”
The invitation now presents an unusual challenge to both Chiya and his critics: whether political disagreements can move from social media exchanges into a public, structured conversation where claims can be questioned, evidence can be presented and alternative solutions can be discussed.
For the critics, the central issue remains whether they are comfortable accepting the invitation under publicly agreed security and transparency arrangements.
For Chiya, however, the message is straightforward: he says he has nothing to fear from questions and wants his critics to come forward and ask them.
As the political conversation around Abuja South develops, the proposed meeting could become an opportunity for competing narratives about Chiya’s record, leadership and political ambitions to be tested in an open forum rather than through competing online accusations.
Whether the proposed dialogue takes place will ultimately depend on whether the critics accept the invitation and whether both sides can agree on transparent conditions that guarantee a peaceful and orderly engagement.