ABUJA — The atmosphere surrounding the February 21 Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections has turned toxic following a chilling alarm raised by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) chairmanship candidate, Dr. Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye.
In a formal distress call issued on Monday, February 9, 2026, the popular entertainer-turned-politician alleged that his life and those of his supporters are under direct threat from the incumbent APC administration. The SDP candidate specifically pointed to a climate of “state-sponsored intimidation” designed to scare off non-indigenous voters in the nation’s capital.
The ‘Yamaho’ Video: A Blueprint for Violence?
At the heart of the outcry is a viral video featuring a high-ranking APC chieftain in AMAC, popularly known as “Yamaho.” In the footage, which has sparked nationwide condemnation, the individual is allegedly heard issuing threats against residents—particularly non-indigenes—who plan to vote for the SDP.
“We have seen the videos, and we have heard the threats,” Dr. Simon stated. “This is no longer just politics; it is a direct assault on the lives of Nigerians living in the FCT. If anything happens to me, my family, or any of my supporters, the world should know exactly who to hold responsible.”
A Three-Horse Race to the Brink
The AMAC chairmanship is currently a high-stakes battleground between three major camps:
- The Incumbent (APC): Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, whose camp has dismissed the threats as “opposition propaganda.”
- The Challenger (SDP): Dr. Obinna Simon, who has promised a tenure of radical fiscal transparency, including the monthly publication of all federal allocations.
- The ‘Third Force’ (ADC): Dr. Moses Paul, who enjoys the vocal backing of Mr. Peter Obi.
Electoral Integrity and the ‘Akpabio’ Shadow
The tension in AMAC mirrors the national outcry over the Senate’s recent rejection of mandatory electronic result transmission. Critics argue that the “manual” nature of the upcoming council polls makes them vulnerable to the kind of “thuggery and intimidation” allegedly being planned by the “Yamaho” group.
“They want a manual election so they can use these terrorists to change the results,” one SDP supporter at the National Assembly protest stated. The ADC’s Bolaji Abdullahi has already warned that any “mutilation” of the electoral process in AMAC will be met with stiff resistance from the 133 million Nigerians living in poverty.
Security Agencies on Notice
As of Monday night, the FCT Police Command has been formally petitioned to investigate the “Yamaho” video and provide adequate security for all candidates. The threat comes amidst a broader security crisis, including the massacre of 300 Christians in 72 hours across the North, leading many to fear that political violence is being used as a distraction from the looming ₦1,000 petrol price.
While the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, continues her “charm offensive” in Washington, the reality on the ground in Abuja suggests that the 2027 “Patriotic Assignment” is already being contested through fear rather than ideas.
