Labour Party Chieftain Promises to Challenge FCT “Anomalies,” Mobilise Grassroots and Deliver Stronger Indigenous Representation
By : Chioma Vivian James /ABUJA
Founding Labour Party chieftain in the Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Joshua Mamah, has formally declared his intention to contest the FCT Senatorial seat on the platform of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections, promising to confront what he described as longstanding “anomalies” in the development and representation of the nation’s capital.
Mamah, who made his declaration in Abuja, said his decision was motivated by the need to provide more effective representation for the people of the FCT, particularly indigenous communities which, according to him, have experienced years of inadequate infrastructure and developmental attention.
“As an indigene, my experience of the FCT is as old as the territory itself. When I look at where I was brought up, I see no government infrastructure development, despite the opportunities given to some people. It is time to challenge these anomalies,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain said his long-standing involvement in the political development of the FCT, coupled with his grassroots experience, had prepared him for the responsibility of representing the Territory at the National Assembly.
Mamah also reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party, describing himself as one of the party’s founding members in the FCT and stressing that his continued association with the party was driven by his desire to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
Calls Defectors Back to Labour Party
The senatorial hopeful used the occasion to appeal to former Labour Party members who had moved to other political parties to return to the fold.
According to him, many politicians who defected in search of political opportunities have discovered that joining established parties does not necessarily guarantee influence or a clear political future.
“Many people jumped ship at the slightest provocation. Today, they regret it because they have not built a political party. Those who built the parties they ran to have shut the doors behind them, leaving them confused,” Mamah said.
He added: “They ran to the APC and found no road. They ran to the PDP and met a more troubled house. They ran to the ADC, and they are no longer sure. Every other party seems to have a unique experience of internal squabbles, except the Labour Party at the moment.”
Campaign Machinery Unveiled
In a move signalling an early commencement of grassroots mobilisation, the Mamah campaign organisation has unveiled an 18-member Campaign Technical Committee charged with coordinating the campaign structure and driving mobilisation across the Federal Capital Territory.
The campaign team is headed by Hon. Joe Wayas, who will serve as Director-General, while Hon. Ephraim Haruna and Hon. Gbenga Kolawole will serve as Assistant Directors-General in charge of Operations and Technical Affairs respectively.
Other members of the committee include Amb. Tersoo Orbunde, General Secretary; Hon. Henry Njoku, Director of Security and Corporate Affairs; Amb. (Dr.) Godwin E. Ekpo, Campaign Administrator; and Hon. Success Dan Barnabas, Director of Finance and Fundraising.
The campaign has also appointed Hon. Ivy Ezejiofor as Director of Women Mobilisation and Comrade Kennedy Terveshima as Director of Youth Mobilisation, underscoring the campaign’s intention to place women and young people at the centre of its grassroots engagement.
Other portfolios include Logistics, Contact and Mobilisation, Welfare, Special Duties, Support Groups, Events, Media and Publicity, Legal Affairs and Area Council Affairs.
Four Spokespersons to Drive Public Communication
The campaign has further designated Hon. Joe Wayas, Amb. (Dr.) Godwin Emem Ekpo, Hon. Ivy Ezejiofor and Hon. Patrick Ugorji as its official campaign spokespersons.
The spokespersons are expected to coordinate the campaign’s public communication, articulate its policy agenda and engage the media and wider electorate throughout the electioneering period.
Two political figures — Hon. Peter Diugwu and Comrade Abdullahi Yahaya — have also been named as Campaign Council Advisers.
Area Councils, Support Groups to Form Campaign Base
A major feature of the campaign structure is its proposed grassroots expansion across the FCT.
According to the campaign organisation, each directorate will comprise 15 members, with five drawn from the Area Councils and 10 selected from support groups and other associates.
The arrangement is designed to establish a broad-based campaign network that can penetrate the six Area Councils and connect the senatorial campaign directly with communities, support groups, women, youths and other stakeholders.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the structure suggests that the Labour Party candidate is positioning his campaign around an extensive grassroots mobilisation strategy rather than relying solely on conventional political structures.
A Race Likely to Intensify
Mamah’s declaration comes at a time political activities are beginning to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission expected to publish the final list of candidates on September 12, 2026, political parties and aspirants are expected to intensify their campaigns and mobilisation efforts across the country.
For Mamah, the contest is not merely about securing a Senate seat. His campaign narrative is centred on experience, grassroots connection, development and what he describes as the need to confront longstanding shortcomings in the administration and representation of the Federal Capital Territory.
As the political contest gathers momentum, the strength of his newly unveiled campaign structure, the ability to mobilise across the Area Councils and his promise to challenge the “anomalies” he identified will likely become major issues to watch in the FCT senatorial race.
