The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strengthened its political footprint in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the conclusion of the 2026 Area Council chairmanship elections held across the six council areas of the Territory on Saturday, 21 February 2026.
Official results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show the ruling party winning the majority of the chairmanship seats, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) securing a significant victory in Gwagwalada Area Council. Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was shut out of all councils.
PDP Wins Gwagwalada
In the Gwagwalada Area Council, the PDP candidate Mohammed Kasim was declared chairman-elect by INEC’s Returning Officer, Philip Akpen.
According to the collation master, Kasim secured 22,165 votes, defeating his closest rival, Yahaya Shehu of the APC, who polled 17,788 votes.
“The PDP candidate, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Philip Akpen said during the announcement.
INEC’s figures showed a total of 207,577 registered voters in Gwagwalada, with 46,294 accredited on polling day and 43,960 valid votes cast, while 1,521 votes were rejected. Observers described the election in the council as “peaceful and orderly.”
APC Clears Majority of Council Seats
Across the FCT, the APC maintained dominance in most councils.
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), the incumbent APC chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, was returned elected after scoring 40,295 votes from a total of 62,861 valid votes, defeating other opposition party candidates.
“That Maikalangu of the APC, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” said the AMAC Collation Officer, Andrew Abue.
Abaji Area Council also returned an APC chairman. In the result announced by INEC Presiding Officer Muhammad Usman, incumbent Abubakar Abdullahi polled 15,535 votes to retain his seat.
In Bwari Area Council, APC’s Joshua Ishaku was declared winner with 18,466 votes, comfortably ahead of candidates from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
“That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” said the Returning Officer, Mohammed Nurudeen.
Kwali Area Council also returned an APC chairmanship candidate, Daniel Nuhu, who secured 17,032 votes against his closest opponent, Haruna Pai of the PDP, who polled 8,575 votes in the election.
In the Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo of the APC won with 17,269 votes. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Zakwoyi Danlami, polled 15,824, while the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Abdullahi Galadima, scored 4,305 votes.
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