INEC Releases Comprehensive Results for 2026 FCT Area Council Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the full results of the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, held on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in five out of the six chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured a significant win in one council.
APC Dominates with Five Chairmanship Wins
In a decisive electoral performance, the APC claimed chairmanship positions in Abaji, Kwali, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, and Kuje. Umar Abdullahi Abubakar won the Abaji Area Council with 15,536 votes, defeating PDP's Sokodabo Bilyaminu and ADC's Mohammed Ibrahim. Daniel Nuhu secured Kwali with 17,032 votes, outpacing PDP's Haruna Pai. Christopher Maikalangu, the incumbent and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike's anointed candidate, triumphed in AMAC with 40,295 votes, beating ADC's Moses Paul and PDP's Zadna Dantani, who withdrew in his favor.
PDP Secures Gwagwalada Amid APC Sweep
The PDP managed to break the APC's dominance by winning the Gwagwalada area council. Mohammed Kasim of the PDP polled 22,165 votes, defeating APC's Yahaya Shehu. This victory marks a notable achievement for the opposition in the FCT elections.
Detailed Vote Counts and Electoral Process
INEC, led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, conducted the elections across the six area councils: Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, and Kuje. The commission provided detailed vote counts, including valid votes, rejected votes, and accreditation numbers. For instance, in AMAC, there were 62,861 valid votes out of 65,197 total votes cast, with 837,338 registered voters. In Bwari, APC's Joshua Ishaku won with 18,466 votes, while in Kuje, APC's Danjuma Shekwolo Samuel secured victory with 17,269 votes, defeating PDP's Zakwoyi Danlami.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the winners, urging them to serve with humility and dedication. The elections have drawn significant attention due to high-profile candidates and alliances, such as Moses Paul's connection to Peter Obi. The results reflect ongoing political dynamics in Nigeria's capital, with implications for local governance and future electoral strategies.
