INTERVIEW: Why I’m Contesting In Abuja Council Election – Amb Jacobs

Grassroots politicians gunning for councillorship in the Federal Capital Territory are often those with just primary and secondary school certificates, but here’s a refreshing change – Ambassador Constance Jacobs, aka OO1, a master’s degree holder vying for the position under the Accord Party. The 40-year-old University of Abuja alumna, from Abia State, sat down with THE WHISTLER to share her plans for bringing change to Usuma Ward, Bwari Area Council, if she wins the FCT Area Council come February 21, 2026.

Why the name, 001? Are you dragging the name with Davido, the musician?

No. I got this name since 2017. It is my brand. This is because everything I do, I give it my best.

What is the origin of the name?

I was made president of a group. My predecessor was called grandma during her time in office. So when I came in, they started calling me grandma. I told them, “No, they can’t call me that.” It is either they call me presido or 001. They started asking me what it meant, and I told them it is the number 1 person in the group. As a matter of fact, I am the ‘coiner’ of the name. Everybody, including Davido and Wike is now using it.

So, when did you join politics?

As a matter of fact, politics is one of my degrees. I read political science. So, by virtue of my certificate, I’m already a politician. I joined politics fully in 2010 or so with my mom. Then we were in another party. My parents are politicians. As time went on, I decided to… You know, when people grow, they will want to explore. So, I joined the Accord Party last year. Fortunately for me, I became a candidate for the councillorship position. I won the primaries.

Why did you join politics?

Because I want to serve.. I want to be one of those to bring positive changes. We have been clamouring for changes in the country. We can not sit on the fence or sit outside to shout, bad government, bad government. So, if you want a positive change, you’ll be part of it. I believe I am part of the positive change. And that’s why I joined to serve in sincerity and to the glory of God.

Which area is part of the Usuma Ward?

Inside Usuma ward, we have 79 polling units. And the ward comprises of areas like 21, 22, Federal Housing, PW, Phase 3, Phase 4, FO1, Owners Occupier, Berger Camp and Army Estates.

So, what difference do you want to bring to the table?

The difference I want to bring to the table is the positive change, equality and good governance. Every area of Usuma Ward will be carried along. There will be a positive change. I am someone who will be an eye for the ward. I will not just represent Usuma Ward, but will be an eye for the whole of ward. I want to bring in good governance. I want to give my own positive support and leadership experience into the government.

Are there challenges within the ward that you want to tackle?

During my campaign rally, my visitations and all the consultations, I saw a lot of challenges. The first one I noticed was the road. A lot of the people I met complained about the bad roads. They also spoke about the drainages that need clearing. And then you also hear about unemployment, and the need for skills acquisitions. When I went to these places everybody wants to tell you what they are going through and what they are lacking. In all, we are still going to do our best and give in our best for the glory of God.

So, how do you intend to tackle those challenges?

Very simple. Like I said from the beginning, the duty of a councillor is representation. So, Usuma Ward will have a good representative in Bwari Council. I will take their needs to the government and it must be heard or attended to.

In the past, councillors in the FCT were mostly people who were originally from FCT. But recently, there has been a turnaround with people from other states joining in the race…why do you think it is so?

Okay, funny enough, FCT is for everybody, even though there are indigenes. People are awakening now to what is happening in governance and in our environment. So, everybody wants to be part of the change. You don’t sit at home to start clamouring for change. So, if you want to see progress or see good things, you come out and bring your good, I bring my good. So, together we’ll make it, we’ll progress. However, my own ward, Usuma ward, is for the elites, mostly. Everybody there, majority are elites. And I realise that people vying for this position, I think we are 11 or so, none of them are indigenes. Even the sitting councillor is not even an indigent.

As a woman coming out for this position, what are your challenges?

The challenges are numerous, but personally, I don’t dwell on them. I believe I can do everything if I put in my best. So, concerning femininity, I don’t see any; I’m not getting any discrimination. Even when we go for meetings, nobody says, ah, you’re a woman, because we have women contesting in this council. We have about four. So, all of us are going to the field, so we’ll give our best. The position is for anybody, just as the constitution is for everybody. But I will say that for now, challenges we have as young politicians are funds. When you have funds, everything is easier. Sensitisation, visitation, campaign, meetings, everything revolves around funds because you are going out, you are spending, you are guiding people, you are spending, you are sensitising, you are moving, you are spending. So, challenges that are facing young politicians are funds. If the funds are there, it makes the work easier. If it’s not there, you struggle. You need to strategise or look for support, those who will support you financially to move. So, majorly as young politicians, especially those of us who are starting from the grassroots, our challenge is funds.

So how do you get your funding?

My family and friends have been supportive of my dream. They have been the ones supporting me. I have not gotten any funds from the party or INEC.
I don’t have a problem with my family. They have been very supportive. Even my beloved father who just passed away four months ago, Super High Chief Johnny Okechukwu Lawrence Jacobs was very supportive. He was my pillar, yes. And then my beloved mother. And my siblings, especially my brothers, have been very supportive. They don’t have a problem with what I am doing. I am from a family of seven and I am the last girl in my family. I have an amazing family.

Are you married?

No, I am not married.

What is your advice for women who want to join politics?

My advice to women, especially young women, is to believe in themselves. Just be good at what you do. Anything you are doing, just believe in yourself. If you say you want to do this, do it very well. If you say you want to go to school, put in your best. If you want to learn a business, do it well. Just as I’m into politics now, I’m going to give it my best, knowing that it’s only God that gets victory. I can assure you, because I’m ready. I’m ready for this election.

How do you think women’s participation in politics can make a positive impact?

It’s going to help because we have empathy. Women are very caring. And anything a woman sets out to do, she does it very well. So women coming into politics is even a plus for governance, yes. So that you balance the equation. All of us cannot be hot at the same time. So here should be a level playing ground that everybody can accommodate. So when a woman is in politics, you see changes, you see development, you see growth. She will even take everybody like, you know, this motherly instinct, seeing everybody as my children, like that, the men cannot do that now, with their ego. When women are coming into politics, it’s a plus for governance, in general. So not just in the local government aspect, in general. So I believe we will do better, if not more.

Given the prevalent tribal dynamics in the country, how do you plan to address the likelihood of most Bwari area council councillors being indigenes?

No, there won’t be a tribal thing, because this is politics. What they taught us in school is this…after all this rally, gallivanting, campaign, and all of that, once you enter the seat of power, your focus should be on the people. All of us become one, not party thing. So we don’t go to a governor to start talking about your party. You can finish your work, your duty, and go back to your party, but as far as you are there, you are coming to serve the people, not the party thing or your tribal thing.

How are you encouraging voter turnout on election day, considering the typical low turnout for area council elections?

Because it is not the presidential or governorship election, people tend to shy away from this election. So we are doing door-to-door sensitisation to encourage people to come out. I grew up in my ward since 1997 when we came to FCT, so people know me and identify with me. I am using this opportunity to encourage everybody to come out and vote for me. Come out and vote for me. Vote for credibility and quality representation. Yes, they should come out. I’m appealing to them, both mothers, fathers, youth, everybody. Please, they should come out on February 21st, Saturday, 2026, to vote. And they should vote for me. They should vote for OO1, for councillor. For quality representation. And our party is the first party on the ballot. So it makes it easier with the thumbs up logo.

Is this the first time you are contesting?

Yes, for a position like this in governance…this is my first time.

What role does education play in effective political leadership?

Education is very important. Like me now, I am practicing what I learnt in school. Education is never a scam. For example, if you see two farmers waiting to be contracted for a job, one has the tools, hoe and cutlass, and the other has no tools. Who do you hire? It is the one that has the tools. That is how education is to politics.

What do you think are the challenges in FCT that the government should tackle?

The challenges we are talking about are the insecurities everywhere. Not just even in FCT. Even this morning at news, we saw the…the mayhem happening in other states. And we are not happy because we cannot keep quiet. It’s affecting everybody. So anything that affects the eye, it also affects the whole body. The government should try its best to protect the lives of people and properties. Also, we need job creation. That’s why we are praying for good governance. So when we have good people or quality people in government, at least that will be a step towards the right direction.

What else do you do when you’re not politicking?

I am a fashion designer and baker. I also train people in these fields.