APC Wins Five Of Six Chairmanship Seats In FCT

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has solidified its control over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the Area Council elections held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, securing victory in five out of the six contested chairmanship positions, according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC officials announced the final outcomes on Sunday, February 22, with the APC clinching the chairmanships of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje Area Councils. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained the sole seat in Gwagwalada Area Council.

In AMAC, incumbent chairman Christopher Maikalangu of the APC was re-elected after polling 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast.

Collation Officer Andrew Abue declared him the winner, stating he had “satisfied the requirements of the law” and was returned elected.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, followed by other parties including the PDP with significantly fewer.

Similar patterns emerged across the other APC-won councils:
Bwari: Joshua Ishaku (APC)
Kuje: Samuel Shekwolo (APC), with 17,269 votes in one reported tally
Kwali and Abaji: APC candidates declared victorious

In Gwagwalada, PDP’s Mohammed Kasim emerged winner with 22,165 votes, defeating APC’s Yahaya Shehu, who received 17,788 votes. Returning Officer Philip Akpen confirmed Kasim’s victory.

The elections, conducted under the recently amended Electoral Act, were described by observers as largely peaceful but marred by generally low voter turnout, logistical challenges, late arrival of materials in some areas, and reports of vote buying.

Political analysts view the APC’s strong performance as a consolidation of influence in the nation’s capital ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP has responded critically to the results. The party congratulated its Gwagwalada winner but alleged widespread irregularities, including instances of armed security personnel allegedly carting away result sheets, voter intimidation, and undue influence on outcomes.

PDP National Legal Adviser Shafi Bara’u has been tasked with heading a special legal team to challenge the results in court, with the party signaling plans to pursue petitions over what it described as manipulation in the APC-dominated councils.

APC leaders and supporters hailed the outcome as a reflection of public confidence in the party’s grassroots efforts and governance in the FCT.

President Bola Tinubu, in related comments on concurrent polls in other areas, described the successful conduct as strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture and institutions.

As tensions rise with the PDP’s legal move, attention now shifts to potential tribunal proceedings and their implications for political dynamics in Abuja.

INEC has urged calm while emphasizing the credibility of the process, with full results and councillorship details still being compiled in some reports.

This development underscores the competitive nature of local politics in the FCT, even as the APC maintains a commanding majority in the territory’s administrative leadership.