By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained its stronghold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by winning five out of the six chairmanship positions in the 2026 Area Council elections, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managing only one win in Gwagwalada.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concluded the declaration of results on Sunday following the polls held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across the six Area Councils: Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Kuje. The elections, which involved selecting chairmen and councillors, recorded relatively low voter turnout in many areas but were largely peaceful, according to observers.
APC candidates triumphed in AMAC, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje, while PDP’s Mohammed Kasim emerged victorious in Gwagwalada, marking the opposition party’s only breakthrough in the capital territory.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, PDP’s Mohammed Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat APC’s Yahaya Shehu, who received 17,788 votes. Other parties trailed significantly, with APGA securing 1,687 votes and ADC 1,366.
Returning Officer Philip Akpen declared Kasim the winner, stating he had “satisfied the requirements of the law” and was returned elected. The total valid votes stood at around 43,960, with rejected ballots at 1,521.
The APC’s sweep began with the re-election of incumbent Christopher Maikalangu in AMAC, where he garnered 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast. Collation Officer Andrew Abue announced the result, noting Maikalangu’s compliance with legal standards. ADC came second with 12,109 votes, followed by PDP’s 3,398, SDP’s 2,185, and NNPP’s 1,694.
In Abaji Area Council, APC’s Umar Abdullahi Abubakar won convincingly with 15,536 votes, far ahead of PDP’s 4,547 votes and ADC’s minimal 37 votes.
Bwari Area Council saw APC’s Joshua Ishaku secure victory with 18,466 votes. Returning Officer Mohammed Nurudeen declared him elected, with ADC polling 4,254 votes and ZLP 3,515.
Kwali Area Council went to APC’s Nuhu Daniel, who polled 17,032 votes against PDP’s Haruna Pai’s 8,575 votes.
The final declaration came in Kuje Area Council amid prior controversy, where PDP had accused INEC of delaying results from two wards, alleging potential manipulation due to its narrow lead in those areas. Despite the claims, INEC proceeded and declared APC’s Danjuma Shekwolo Samuel the winner with 17,269 votes. Returning Officer Prof. Nkiruka Odoh affirmed that Shekwolo had met all legal requirements and was returned elected.
The results reflect the APC’s continued dominance in the FCT, bolstered by strong performances in urban and semi-urban councils, while PDP’s isolated win in Gwagwalada highlights pockets of opposition support in more rural or peripheral areas.
Election observers noted the process was orderly, though low turnout and isolated complaints about result delays underscored challenges in voter engagement and transparency perceptions.
Newly elected chairmen are expected to be sworn in soon to assume office and address local governance issues in their respective councils.
The outcome positions the APC favourably ahead of future electoral cycles in the nation’s capital, while PDP’s single victory provides a foothold for potential challenges in upcoming contests.
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