2027 elections: NDC presents FCT National Assembly candidates, promises effective representation. By Dally Iyamu
2027 elections: NDC presents FCT National Assembly candidates, promises effective representation
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled its candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), declaring that Abuja deserves more effective and people-oriented representation in the Senate and House of Representatives.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the party’s North Central Zonal National Woman Leader, High Chief (Hajia) Musleema Nike AbdulRahaman, the Yeye Oge of Nigeria, formally presented Barr. Austen-Peter Pam Iyabode Amanda, popularly known as Mama Amanda, as the party’s candidate for the FCT Senatorial seat.
She also unveiled Hon. Hassan Ahmed Grema as the party’s candidate for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, while Hon. Kamal Adamu Shuaibu was presented as the NDC candidate for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
AbdulRahaman described the three candidates as experienced public servants and grassroots politicians with the capacity to provide quality representation, adding that the FCT was fortunate to have them contesting on the platform of the NDC.
Presenting the profile of Barr. Amanda, she said the lawyer and administrator possesses extensive experience in governance, law and public service, making her well suited to represent the FCT in the Senate.
According to her, Abuja deserves a senator who understands the demands of the office and has a deep knowledge of governance, the law and the aspirations of FCT residents.
She noted that Amanda’s public service career spans law, politics and administration, recalling that she first contested for the House of Representatives in 2003 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
AbdulRahaman said Amanda later served as Deputy National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where she gained significant experience in party administration, legal affairs and national politics.
She also highlighted Amanda’s tenure as Mandate Secretary for Health in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), where she supervised the territory’s healthcare system and contributed to health sector administration.
According to the NDC chieftain, Amanda also served as a leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before joining the coalition that formed the Nigeria Democratic Congress, where she emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate for the 2027 election.
She further described Amanda as a compassionate leader committed to promoting the interests of women, children and other vulnerable groups, stressing that the FCT needs proven leadership rather than experimentation.
On the AMAC/Bwari House of Representatives candidate, AbdulRahaman described Hon. Hassan Ahmed Grema as a seasoned grassroots politician with more than two decades of experience in public service, political leadership and community mobilisation.
She said Grema began his political career as an elected councillor representing City Centre Ward in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) between 2004 and 2007.
During the same period, she added, he served as President of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, providing leadership for councillors across the country.
She explained that Grema later served as Supervisory Councillor for Education in AMAC from 2007 to 2008 before becoming Coordinator of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in the FCT from 2008 to 2011.
AbdulRahaman also recalled his appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Political and National Assembly Liaison to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in 2015, noting that the position exposed him to federal governance and political coordination.
She added that Grema has served as Senior Special Assistant and Liaison to the Governor of Bauchi State since 2019, describing him as a dependable link between the state government and the Federal Government.
According to her, Grema has remained actively engaged in community development and public service, with a track record in grassroots representation, education, poverty alleviation and political relationship-building across Northern Nigeria.
She expressed confidence that Grema would provide effective representation for the people of the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency if elected in 2027.
Presenting the profile of the party’s Abuja South House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Kamal Adamu Shuaibu, AbdulRahaman described him as an experienced grassroots politician who has served at various levels of government.
She said Shuaibu attended Jabi Primary School, Federal Government College, Jos, and the University of Abuja.
According to her, he previously served as a planning officer with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Council Secretary of Abaji Area Council, Special Assistant to the FCT Mandate Secretary for Agriculture, and Special Assistant to the Minister of Special Duties.
She added that Shuaibu also served as Coordinator of the FCT Indigenous Coalition and is widely recognised as a farmer, traditional leader and child rights advocate.
AbdulRahaman said his experience from the community level to the federal level has equipped him with the knowledge and capacity to effectively represent the people of Abuja South in the House of Representatives.
She urged residents of the FCT to support the NDC candidates in the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that they would provide purposeful and inclusive representation in the National Assembly.
