Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Hajiya Ireti Kingibe, has urged Abuja residents to vote en masse for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the February 21, 2026, area council election.

Kingibe also called on residents to remain vigilant, ensuring that votes cast are properly counted, recorded and correctly announced.

The lawmaker spoke at an event organised by an Abuja-based support group, the FCT Community Structure Foundation, CSF, during which the foundation and former members of the Labour Party, LP, formally defected to the ADC.

According to her, victory at the polls would depend largely on collective resolve, urging them not to be intimidated.

Represented at the event by Clement Dara, she said: “I am happy to welcome members of the FCT Community Structure Foundation. This is a sign that Nigerians are out to do the right thing and we are happy that you chose to work with the ADC.

“Please do your best to reach out to more people, let them come out in mass and vote for all candidates of the ADC. By the special grace of God, victory is certain and it can only be achieved when we come together.”

Also speaking on behalf of the group, Engr. Yarri Yakubu said their decision to join the ADC was purposeful.

He said: “Our decision to join the ADC is a deliberate and calculated move driven by the party’s articulated vision, purposeful transformation, and commitment to producing leaders with integrity and competence.”

Meanwhile, the ADC Chairman, Abuja Chapter, Chief Obah Eligiator, described the defections as significant and commended the decampees for their initiative.

He urged them to prioritise good governance and never place personal interests above those of the country and the party, explaining that their duty as party members is to work first for national and party interests.

He said: “We are here to work for the interest of Nigeria and that of the party before our personal interests. They say politics is about interest, but as I always say, if we must build the new Nigeria we believe is possible, our primary objective must be Nigeria first, party second, and then individual interests.”

Earlier, the National Coordinator of the CSF, Engr. Gambo Balarabe, explained that the group’s defection to the ADC followed the prolonged internal crisis within their former party, the LP.

According to him, CSF members were loyal to the LP but were forced to move to another party due to what he described as the lack of hope for resolving the crisis, which has divided the party into three factions.

In addition, the ADC Chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Dr Moses Paul, described the ADC as a credible platform committed to serving the interests of the people.

He said: “ADC is a platform for clarity, courage, and conviction. It is a platform dedicated to providing services to communities. It is about nation-building, open governance, transparency, and accountability.”