Preliminary results from the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections show the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an early lead in several polling units across Abuja, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) recorded wins in specific areas. Simultaneous bye-elections took place in Kano and Rivers states.
The Area Council polls on February 21, 2026, were organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to elect six chairmen and 62 councillors in the six FCT area councils: Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
Low turnout was reported in many polling units, with observers noting sparse participation in several parts of AMAC and other councils. The polls coincided with bye-elections in Kano and Rivers states for vacant state assembly seats.
Early results from the APC’s strongholds indicated the party’s competitive position across several FCT contests:
In Kwali Local Government Area, the APC secured 2,726 votes, ahead of the PDP’s 2,104 votes and the ADC’s 180 votes in chairmanship races.
In Kuje Area Council, APC candidates led with 615 votes, followed by PDP at 393 votes and others trailing in the chairmanship contest.
At AMAC, initial results showed APC polling 2,520 votes, while ADC recorded 750 votes and PDP trailed with 115 votes.
Despite APC leads in several areas, the PDP also recorded significant results:
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Mohammed Kasim of the PDP as winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship, with 22,165 votes against the APC’s 17,788 votes.
Meanwhile, the ADC secured early victories at select polling units, including a win over the APC at a voting unit in AMAC where the party’s chairmanship candidate polled more votes than his APC rival, though in a low-turnout unit.
Observers and party stakeholders reported that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned efficiently in most locations, with occasional isolated malfunctions reported in some areas such as parts of Gwagwalada.
Security presence was described as significant and professional across polling units, with personnel from the police, civil defence, immigration and fire services on duty to maintain order during the exercise.
Simultaneous bye-elections in Kano and Rivers states saw the APC dominating proceedings in both locations, with opposition representation either limited or absent on the ballot in certain constituencies.
The early leads by the APC in several FCT Area Councils reflect the party’s organisational strength in parts of the capital territory, while victories by the PDP and ADC in specific zones demonstrate competitive dynamics at the local level.
The PDP’s chairmanship win in Gwagwalada signifies continued local influence in certain councils, while the ADC’s victories at select units highlight pockets of support outside the two major parties.
The reports of low voter turnout could influence public and institutional evaluations of civic engagement during local elections.
Security operations and electoral logistics also form part of ongoing assessments of electoral management and voter experience.
Bye-elections in Kano and Rivers, where the APC dominated, contribute to broader analyses of party strength and electoral trends beyond the FCT polls.
