By Andrew Haruna – The Bureau News
Abuja – The Speaker of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Matthew Yare of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been impeached by eight councillors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in what political observers describe as a dramatic shift of power within the council, The Bureau News reports.
The impeachment took place in the early hours of Monday inside the council’s legislative chamber, where the APC members consolidated their new majority status.
Following the motion moved by Mathias Aliu of Wuse Ward and seconded by Chidawa of Karshi Ward, the councillors unanimously voted Yare out and elected Jankaro Ibrahim, councillor representing Kabusa Ward, as the new Speaker of the AMAC legislative council.
Power Shift in the Council
As early as 7:30 am, councillors had assembled at the legislative chamber. However, instead of deliberating on policy issues affecting the residents of Abuja Municipal Area Council, the gathering became a decisive political showdown.
With eight of the twelve wards now under APC councillors, the party moved swiftly to remove Yare, citing their majority advantage.
Speaking after his election, the new Speaker, Jankaro Ibrahim, defended the impeachment:
“The former Speaker belongs to the minority party. Leadership of the council must reflect the will of the majority, which is now the APC.”
Yare Reacts to Impeachment
In a brief telephone interview, the ousted Speaker, Matthew Yare, described the impeachment as an act of “ignorance of the extant laws” guiding the AMAC legislative council.
“Their action is a display of ignorance. I will address the public more comprehensively when the time becomes necessary,” Yare said.
Political Context
The shift in AMAC’s power balance follows the defection of the council’s Executive Chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, from the PDP to the APC. Maikalangu, who is now the APC’s chairmanship candidate for the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, brought with him significant political weight, increasing the APC’s dominance in the council.
This latest development is seen by analysts as a strategic alignment ahead of the 2026 FCT elections, with the APC strengthening its hold on grassroots structures in the capital territory.
