By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured a dominant performance, clinching five of the six chairmanship seats announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) salvaged a victory in Gwagwalada, highlighting persistent competitive dynamics even as the ruling party tightens its nationwide political grip.
APC candidates triumphed in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) with incumbent Christopher Maikalangu re-elected on a commanding vote bloc and also won in Bwari, Abaji, Kwali and Kuje Area Councils. These victories reflect the party’s organisational advantage and mobilisation capacity in the FCT, often seen as a bellwether for broader national contests.
In contrast, the PDP’s Mohammed Kasim emerged victorious in Gwagwalada Area Council, polling 22,165 votes to defeat APC’s Yahaya Shehu, who garnered 17,788 votes. INEC officials described the contests as largely peaceful and orderly, though observers noted pockets of low turnout and isolated reports of vote-buying; issues that continue to challenge Nigeria’s local electoral integrity.
Political analyst Professor Aisha Bello notes that “local council elections are enduring barometers of national political sentiment,” suggesting that these results may presage the competitive terrain ahead of the 2027 general elections. While APC’s sweep underscores its organisational depth, PDP’s resilience in Gwagwalada signals that opposition footholds remain intact despite prevailing structural disadvantages.
As both parties assess the outcomes, the FCT polls serve not only as a snapshot of local governance choices but also as an early indicator of shifting political currents in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
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