The All Progressives Congress (APC) asserted its political dominance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), defeating the major opposition parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the chairmanships and councillors elections held at the weekend.

Besides the nation’s seat of power, APC also proved its political superiority in the Kano and Rivers by-elections same weekend.

President Bola Tinubu, the APC leadership and its governors yesterday hailed the outcome of the elections as reflective of the party’s acceptance by Nigerians and  its administration’s reform.

But opposition parties and  former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dismissed the ruling party’s victory, accusing it of shrinking the democratic space through voter intimidation and vote buying.

Also, Civil Society Organisations like YiagaAfrica, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) equally picked holes in the quality of the elections, passing a damning verdict on the exercises in the FCT, Kano and Rivers states.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections in the six area councils of the FCT and by-elections in the Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies of Rivers State, as well as in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.

In the FCT, the election was marred by voter apathy and vote buying. In Kano and Rivers, it was mainly an APC affair as other key opposition parties could not field candidates.

This was the first election conducted by INEC under the new, and what some consider controversial, Electoral Amendment Act, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, 18 February.

It also marked the second election overseen by the new INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, since he assumed office on 23 October, 2025. His first was the Anambra State governorship election held in November 2025.

Meanwhile, the APC recorded massive wins in the FCT election.

Results from polling units across the six local council areas of the FCT began appearing on the commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) just hours after the conclusion of the election.

Below are the detailed results from each Area Council:

Gwagwalada Area Council (PDP)

The PDP candidate, Mohammed Kasim, was declared winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election.

The Returning Officer from INEC, Philip Akpen, announced the result on Sunday, 22 February.

He stated that Kasim secured 22,165 votes to defeat his closest rival, Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.

Akpen described the election as peaceful and smoothly conducted.

The number of registered voters was 207,577; while accredited to vote were 46,294.

The total valid votes were 43,960 while rejected votes were 1,521.

Abuja Municipal Area Council (APC)

INEC declared Christopher Maikalangu of the APC the elected chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Maikalangu secured 40, 295 votes to defeat his closest rival, Paul Moses Ogidi of ADC who scored 12,109 votes. The collation officer for AMAC was Andrew Abue.

Bwari Area Council (APC)

INEC has declared Joshua Ishaku of the APC the winner of the Bwari Area Council chairmanship election.

Ishaku scored 18,466 votes to defeat the candidates of ADC with 4,254 and  ZLP, 3,515

The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Mohammed Nurudeen, announced the result on Sunday in Bwari.

Kwali Area Council (APC)

APC’s Daniel Nuhu won the Kwali Area Council chairmanship election with 16,656 votes.

Nuhu defeated his closest rival, Haruna Pai of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 8,467 votes to come second.

Abaji Area Council (APC)

Umar Abdullahi of the APC also won the chairmanship election for Abaji Area Council.

He polled 15,535 and· PDP candidate got 4,547

Kuje Area Council

Danjuma Samuel of the APC was declared the winner of the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election.

The Returning Officer, Professor Nkiruka Odoh, announced Samuel as the winner after collating the results at the INEC office in Kuje.

Samuel scored 17,269 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Zakwoyi Danlami of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 15,824 votes.

Serve With Humility, Patriotism, Tinubu  urges winners

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the winners of Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory and the states of Kano and Rivers.

In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President urged  the winners to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication and to view the mandate given to them by the people as a sacred trust.

He commended  the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his remarkable achievements in the territory, which have yielded political dividends to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

The President congratulated the APC national leadership, Kano and Rivers leaderships, and all members of the party on the victories at the polls.

President Tinubu also lauded  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and voters for the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections.

He further commended the courage and discipline displayed by all the contestants, stating that democracy is enriched with the vibrancy of participation and competition.

President Tinubu affirmed that the successful conduct of the elections further strengthens democratic culture and institutions and called on INEC to continue improving its efforts to deliver even more exemplary electoral processes.

 FCT Polls: Atiku Blames Tinubu For Low Voter Turnout

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern at the low voter turnout recorded in Saturday’s FCT Area Council elections, describing it as a worrying sign for the country’s democracy.

In a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office on Sunday in Abuja, the former vice president said voter participation averaged below 20 per cent across the councils, with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) recording 7.8 per cent turnout.

He described the development as a “damning verdict” on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, particularly in the nation’s capital.

According to him, the low turnout was not accidental but a reflection of what he termed a shrinking democratic space under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Atiku alleged that the government had fostered an atmosphere of intolerance and intimidation, weakening opposition voices and discouraging citizen participation in the electoral process.

“When citizens lose faith that their votes matter, democracy begins to die,” he said.

He further warned that continued erosion of public confidence in the political system could undermine participatory governance and weaken the country’s democratic institutions.

The former vice president called on opposition parties and other democratic stakeholders to close ranks and work together to safeguard democratic values.

“This is no longer about party lines; it is about preserving the Republic. The time to stand together to rescue and rebuild Nigeria is now,” he stated.

Southern Governors’ Forum hails Tinubu, APC

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has applauded APC’s performance in the  FCT election, saying that the party’s strong showing represents wide acceptance of the party by Nigerians.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, Abiodun described APC’s strong performance as an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Abiodun, who congratulated President Bola Tinubu; the chairman of APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and the APC candidates in the elections for the great outing, said the party’s superlative performance at the polls is a precursor to its impending victory in the 2027 general election.

He said: “No doubt, the outcome of the area council polls at the FCT has shown clearly that Nigerians are fully aligned with President Bola Tinubu and the APC, and will again demonstrate this during the 2027 general election.

“The vast majority of Nigerians know that with APC at the helm of affairs, Nigeria’s future is in safe hands.

“I congratulate President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of our great party, the APC, on this remarkable outing, which is a pointer to our victory in 2027.”

Results Reflect Endorsement Of Tinubu’s Reforms — Yilwatda

On his part, the APC national chairman, Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, described the outcome of the Saturday’s elections as a resounding endorsement of the ongoing reforms and governance direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his special adviser, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said the overwhelming support recorded by the party, particularly in the nation’s capital, reflects the confidence of Nigerians in the Renewed Hope Agenda and their belief that the current reforms would ultimately lead the country to its desired destination.

“I heartily congratulate our teeming supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, and Rivers States on the successful, peaceful and credible conduct of the Saturday, 21st February 2026 polls. The victories recorded by our great party are a clear testament to the resilience, unity and grassroots strength of the APC,” the statement read.

According to the APC chairman, the outcome of the FCT Area Council elections carries special national significance.

“The Abuja election, in particular, is a powerful statement by Nigerians from all walks of life that they stand firmly with President Tinubu and his bold reform agenda. As residents of the nation’s capital, their verdict sends a strong message of widespread support, renewed hope and confidence in the ability of this administration to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.”

He congratulated the five APC chairmanship candidates who emerged victorious in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Kuje, Abaji, Bwari and Kwali, noting that their victories underscore the party’s deep connection with the people.

He also congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate who won in Gwagwalada, describing the outcome as proof that democracy has prevailed and the will of the people respected.

FCT Polls: Keyamo Upbraids Opposition, Says Nigerians Are Not Fools

For his part, the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticized opposition parties over their allegations of widespread irregularities in the recent election in the FCT, describing their claims as baseless and exaggerated.

In a post shared on his official X account on Sunday, Keyamo accused opposition figures of making “futile excuses” for their defeat at the polls, asserting that Nigerians had clearly expressed their will.

“This set of opposition fellows are a bunch of lazy and shameless characters,” he wrote. “The futile excuses they give for losing elections have become their opium to numb their pain, disappointment and shame for their rejection by the electorate after all their theatrics and grandstanding. Nigerians are NOT FOOLS.”

The minister argued that out of the 2,822 polling units in the FCT, the opposition had pointed to fewer than 10 units where result sheets were allegedly corrected as evidence that the entire election was flawed.

Turaki-led PDP Congratulates Party’s Successful Candidate, Starts Petition Process

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Sunday, congratulated successful candidates of the PDP in the Area Council Elections which were held in Abuja on February 21, 2026.

According to the national public secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, PDP said the victory, though less in number than it anticipated, is gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics and brazen executive brigandage.

“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.

“We specifically congratulate the chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the Councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We have set up a special Legal Team, headed by the National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, esq, to attend to candidates who have genuine complaints arising from these elections and to assist with post-election litigations. They should immediately contact the National Legal Adviser for prompt action, as delay is fatal in election petition cases.”

It further noted that the voter apathy in the polls “is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in the electoral outcomes from elections conducted under this Act. These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027, if changes are not urgently made.

“There is time to correct the wrongdoing by the National Assembly and the President to save our democracy from collapse,” the party added.

Pro-PDP Group Relishes Gwagwalada Victory, Insists Party Won Kuje, Two Chairmanship Seats

The Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP) has congratulated the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the various councillors on their declaration of victory by INEC in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election held on Saturday.

The CP-PDP, in a statement by its pro tem National Chairman, Barr. Obinna Nwachukwu, maintained that, judging by the popularity of the PDP and the actual preference expressed by voters at the various polling units, the party also clearly won the chairmanship seats in other Area Councils, including Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari, where it said the PDP recorded overwhelming dominance despite alleged attacks and underhand tactics by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The manifest popularity and performance of the PDP in the FCT election, despite serial attacks, threats, intimidation, propaganda, lies and extensive shenanigans by the APC using the instrumentality of the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, further underscore the undisputed strength and potency of the PDP at the grassroots level across the country.

“The Conference, after a thorough analysis of the election, is collaborating with the Kabiru Turaki-led national leadership of the PDP to take robust legal steps to ensure that nobody makes away with any mandate freely given to the PDP in the FCT election,” the statement said.

FCT Polls: Low Turnout, Logistical Lapses, Fragile Collation a Stark Warning for 2027 — Yiaga Africa

Yiaga Africa has declared that the low turnout, logistical lapses and fragile collation witnessed in the Federal Capital Territory Area Council election held on Saturday constitute a stark warning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The organisation made this known in a statement on the ward collation of results in the FCT polls, signed by its Executive Director, Samson Itodo, and Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu, and made available to LEADERSHIP on Sunday.

The civil society organisation had earlier stated in its preliminary report that the FCT Area Council election was conducted in a largely peaceful atmosphere, and that voters who arrived at polling units were able to cast their ballots without major disruption.

Despite this, it noted that turnout was generally low, with many polling units recording limited participation. It added that delays in the deployment of personnel and materials, coupled with inadequate communication regarding polling unit relocations, undermined voter confidence and contributed to disenfranchisement.

Yiaga Africa stated that with the 2027 general elections fast approaching, such lapses are unacceptable, and urged INEC to adopt a more detailed, project-based approach to logistics planning and execution. It called for robust operational frameworks, strict adherence to timelines and the establishment of contingency measures to guarantee efficiency and credibility in future elections.

The CSO, which deployed observers to collation centres to monitor the results collation process, observed that the 2026 FCT Area Council election presented a mixed but cautionary signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While voting was largely peaceful and there was substantial compliance with results management procedures, including high IReV upload rates, it stated that the ward-level collation stage remains the most fragile link in the electoral value chain.

According to Yiaga Africa, violent disruptions, delays, security lapses and the relocation of collation processes exposed weaknesses that threaten the integrity of results management.

It said the lessons from the FCT election must therefore drive urgent reforms in logistics, security coordination and collation procedures.

The pro-democracy group disclosed that ward collation commenced between 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm in 66 per cent of the collation centres observed; an additional 10 per cent began between 6.00 pm and 9.00 pm, while 3 per cent commenced between 9.00 pm and midnight.

“In Kuje Central and Kabi wards of Kuje Area Council, collation did not begin until the following morning. The primary causes of delay included late arrival of materials from polling units, absence of collation officials at designated times, logistical failures in transporting sensitive materials, and reported intimidation of officials by political thugs, which caused officers to await security escorts,” it said.

On transparency and the posting of results, Yiaga Africa stated: “In 80 per cent of the ward collation centres observed, collation officers completed and publicly displayed the Notice of Results Poster (Form EC60E) for the chairmanship election.

“In 95 per cent of ward collation centres that commenced collation, party agents were requested to countersign the result forms. ADC agents countersigned in 88 per cent of centres observed, APC agents in 93 per cent, PDP agents in 91 per cent, and SDP agents in 59 per cent of centres.”

It observed that copies of Form EC8B were distributed in 100 per cent of the ward collation centres observed; however, disagreements with the declared results were recorded in 2 per cent of the centres.

Yiaga Africa observers reported the presence of security officials in 98 per cent of the collation centres observed and noted incidents of intimidation, harassment and violence at several ward collation centres.

The organisation commended INEC officials in several wards who demonstrated courage and professionalism, carrying out their duties despite intimidation and attacks. It also praised vigilant citizens in affected wards who defended their mandate by insisting on compliance with established procedures and resisting attempts by political thugs to disrupt the collation of results.

“These critical incidents have significant implications for electoral integrity. Disruptions, intimidation and the relocation of collation processes undermine the collation of election results and increase the risk of manipulation or tampering.

“They also raise legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and the impact of the extensive deployment of security personnel during the elections. When result sheets are removed, collation is interrupted, or proceedings move to undisclosed or less accessible locations, transparency declines and observer oversight weakens.

“The use of force, destruction of property and evacuation of officials and observers further diminish public confidence in the credibility of the process. Even when results are finalised, procedural shortcomings erode trust in the impartiality, security and reliability of results management, especially at the ward collation stage, which remains the weakest link in the results value chain,” the statement read in part.

The organisation noted that the Electoral Act 2026 mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

While overall upload rates reached 73 per cent by the end of election day, Yiaga Africa observed temporary downtime on the IReV portal during the upload of results.

It said the disruption generated public suspicion and speculation, underscoring the sensitivity of the results transmission phase, and urged INEC to provide a clear public explanation regarding the cause and duration of the downtime in order to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the IReV portal.

“As of 4.30 pm on Sunday, 22 February, 2,641 chairmanship results and 2,542 councillorship results out of 2,822 polling units had been uploaded to the IReV portal, representing approximately 94 per cent (chairmanship results) and 90 per cent (councillorship results) upload rates respectively,” the statement added.

Yiaga Africa stated that the 2026 FCT Area Council election reaffirms that ward-level collation remains the most vulnerable and most consequential stage of Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to the organisation, the will of voters expressed at polling units can only be protected if the chain of custody of results — from polling units to ward and subsequently to local government collation centres — is secure, transparent and subject to effective oversight.

-Leadership