Immediate past Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido, has set up a nine-member committee to consider defecting from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing the media Thursday in Abuja, Candido lamented the “humiliation, harassment and intimidation meted out to him and his thousands of supporters by the APC, despite giving his all to the party since it was founded.”
Though he did not clearly mention that he will defect with his supporters from the APC, Candido said that the committee will evaluate developments of the past few months and consider whether his supporters will remain in the APC or not.
He said: “I want to thank the people of AMAC for the support given to us to serve for a period of six years. I want to appreciate everyone who played a role in making sure that our administration was a success. Before handing over power, I went round the 12 wards of AMAC to thank the people.
“History will be kind to us that we delivered on our mandate. There is no ward in AMAC that did not receive attention from us with regards to projects. We provided social amenities and infrastructure to all wards. I want to implore AMAC residents to continue to pray and support the present administration. AMAC is an institution greater and bigger than any individual or political party.
“However, there have been questions by APC supporters of where we do we go from here, considering the fact that suffered a lot of humiliation, intimidation and molestation in the hands of the party since the area council party primaries till now. All of you are witnesses to the fact that we passed through hell in the hands of our great party that we love so much and care for.
“Unfortunately, do a lot of people who could not endure the humiliation have even defected from the APC to other parties. But when approached, we decided to be calm. We don’t want to jump the gun. We don’t take any unilateral decision that will later become a mistake as we progress. We had to stay because we didn’t want to suffer for any mistakes we may make.
“Nevertheless, we have set up a committee that will take a look at our next political direction. It is not about defecting from the APC, but to evaluate ourselves to know what next to do. We are asking that various options be looked into.”
He added: “Are we going to remain in the APC? Are we going to subject to the humiliation? Are we going to be patient enough and leave everything in the hands of God? Are we going to be valued where we are? Where you think you want to go, are you going to be valued there? These and so many are questions to be answered with calmness.
“We will be calm and not rush to make a decision. Very soon, we will take a decisive position that will be to greater advantage to you and supporters of this cause. We won’t take any decision that will affect us negatively.
“We are not toothless bulldogs; we bark and bite. I am not interested in politicking further, but I will not abandon my people and supporters. I have great followership who have sufficiently been intimidated, harassed and embarrassed by the party, so I will not abandon them. This is a democratic dispensation, so I will listen to my people and whatever decision they want to make regarding our political future.
“So, the committee will look into and consider all the alternatives and options, so that at the end of the day, we will take a position. Whatever position that will be taken, the committee will have my support. Together, we will have a better AMAC and a better Nigeria.
“We must support the government of the day, including the Area Council, the FCT Administration and the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari. This nation requires prayers and support. None of us should curse any administration. If we do curse them, we will suffer the consequences one way or another. We must not suffer as a result of any negative prayer by us.”