By Chukwudi George Ozalla
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) AMAC Chairmanship Candidate for February 2026 FCT Council Election
It was a calm Monday evening at Asokoro District inside the quiet ambience of Kapital Klub when a select group of members of the League of Anambra Journalists in Abuja (LAJA) sat down for an extended media parley with Comrade Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu. He arrived without fanfare, relaxed but alert, speaking with the confidence of a young political mind who has spent years engaging with communities, youth groups, and institutions long before stepping into the arena of elective politics.
Chukwu currently serves as the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the National Chairman of the Forum of All Political Parties Youth Leaders. He is also the founder and director general of the Society Well Being Advocates of Nigeria and a businessman with a longstanding dealership in automobiles. He came into the meeting not to unveil a formal manifesto but to speak freely about his ideas, values, and reasons for accepting APGA’s ticket to contest for the position of Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the forthcoming council election scheduled for February 2026.
Chukwu confirmed that APGA entrusted him with its AMAC chairmanship ticket based on his track record in youth empowerment, phased skills acquisition, and longstanding advocacy for democratic accountability. He explained that his work through his non-governmental organisation laid the foundation for his decision to seek public office. APGA, he said, represents the interests of Igbo people and Nigerians generally, and he was chosen because the party believes he will protect its values and represent the masses with sincerity.
On his candidacy, Chukwu said it is not driven by financial might but by service. APGA, he explained, gives tickets to people who carry the spirit of the party and who are ready to uphold its core principles. He added, “I have always been a voice for Ndigbo and for the disadvantaged. The party identified consistency, integrity, and courage in my record. I am not contesting merely to bear a title of Honorable but to translate APGA’s ideology into leadership that directly touches the lives of residents.”
He drew attention to Anambra State where APGA has been in power for years, noting, “The party has consistently produced leaders who focus on the welfare of the people. That example inspires my ambition for AMAC and reassures me that people-oriented governance can work at the grassroots level.”
On health, Chukwu highlighted maternal care, citing the free antenatal, delivery, and caesarean services provided in Anambra State under Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. “Mothers in AMAC deserve similar support. Too many women lose their lives during childbirth due to complications, lack of early medical attention, or inability to afford hospital bills. Equipping primary health centres across AMAC, recruiting qualified medical personnel, and making maternal healthcare entirely free would save lives and reduce the pressure families face during pregnancy and delivery,” he said.
On education, Chukwu argued that current free education policies are inadequate because parents still pay PTA levies and incur other costs sometimes higher than school fees. “My vision for AMAC includes complete free education where pupils receive uniforms, books, and essential learning materials at no cost. This would eliminate financial barriers and make education truly compulsory for all children within the council,” he said.
He also discussed introducing compulsory skills acquisition in secondary schools, drawing from a recent policy direction in Ebonyi State. “Every child who graduates from an AMAC-owned school under my leadership will learn at least one skill with economic value. Countries like China have young graduates participating in practical technical training. This approach will reduce youth unemployment and give students a platform to contribute meaningfully to society, even when their families cannot afford external vocational training,” he added.
Youth empowerment, Chukwu noted, has been central to his life’s work. He plans to build three major skills acquisition centres across AMAC’s zones. “These centres will serve as open facilities where people can register for training or request support for skills they already have. Training will be free, and beneficiaries will receive equipment and startup funds where necessary. My plans also include support initiatives for teachers, the aged, widows, and single mothers as part of a broader social protection programme,” he said.
All these ideas are tied to what Chukwu calls the SMART AMAC vision. He explained that S stands for security and social welfare. “During my interactions with residents across different communities, insecurity emerged as one of the most troubling issues. It is unacceptable for the capital of Africa’s largest democracy to lack adequate security coverage and basic protection for residents. AMAC should be a showcase of organised, modern local governance but has become a council that lags behind the standards expected of a capital of capital territory of giant of Africa. My goal is to lift AMAC into a smart city that reflects order, functionality, and responsiveness.”
M represents a modernised AMAC. A stands for accountability. “Transparency will be central to my governance. I will publish all monthly allocations and income of the council on its website so residents can monitor how public resources are used. Openness builds trust and prevents waste,” he said.
R signifies rural inclusive governance. “Rural communities will be given full attention and not treated merely as voting grounds. Effective governance must carry every community along and distribute development beyond the urban belts,” Chukwu explained.
T stands for tech-driven governance. “I will digitise all administrative processes to improve service delivery, reduce delays, and make government more accessible to residents,” he said.
Chukwu addressed AMAC’s financial capacity, noting that its FAAC allocation and internally generated revenue IGR exceed the income of some states. “The problem is not resources but a leadership gap that disconnects the grassroots from government after elections. I will bridge that gap by rebuilding trust, strengthening engagement with communities, and maintaining absolute openness in running the council,” he said.
Fielding questions on navigating the hurdles of money politics and the challenge of competing against APC and powers that be, Chukwu dismissed those concerns. “My campaign strategy is pragmatic and winning. Success comes from ideas, service, and engagement with people, experience and practical solutions and not just financial might. Those who rely solely on money politics forget that credibility and performance count more in the long run,” he said.
On carrying the indigenous people of AMAC along, he stressed inclusion, cultural preservation, and unity. “Residents must feel a sense of belonging. Preserving cultural heritage and uniting different tribes in AMAC is essential because progress comes with peace and stability. Bulk votes will come from the Igbo community if they actively participate, and I am ensuring strong representation by having an indigene as my running mate,” Chukwu explained.
He described his aspiration as a commitment to restore hope in a population that has endured years of unfulfilled promises. “I want to govern in a way that changes perceptions and shows that a young Igbo man can lead with excellence, integrity, and impact. I want my performance to be so transformative that even indigenes will willingly seek another Igbo candidate to continue the work after my tenure,” Chukwu said.
He framed himself not only as a politician but as an activist who has spent years pushing for a better society. “My entry into the AMAC race is not politics as usual but an extension of a lifelong commitment to accountability, creativity, service, and people-centred leadership,” he concluded.
