The long-awaited FCT Area Council election held on February 21, 2026, has seen the All Progressives Congress (APC) maintain its stronghold, claiming the chairmanship seats in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, and other key regions. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), however, emerged victorious in Gwagwalada, marking the only defeat for the APC in this year’s race.
Christopher Maikalangu of the APC was re-elected as the chairman of AMAC, securing a second term in office. Maikalangu’s victory was widely anticipated, as the APC has maintained dominance in the council over the years.
In Abaji, Umar Abdullahi Abubakar, also of the APC, clinched the chairmanship position, further solidifying the party’s hold on the territory.
In Gwagwalada, the PDP emerged triumphant as Mohammed Kasim was declared the winner. Kasim’s win marks a rare victory for the opposition party in the FCT, as the APC traditionally performs well in the area.
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As of the latest reports, results from the remaining councils—Bwari, Kuje, and Kwali—are still being collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). These areas are crucial for the APC, which hopes to sweep all six area councils. However, with the PDP’s success in Gwagwalada, the race is far from settled.
Despite the excitement surrounding the election results, voter turnout in some parts of the FCT was reportedly low, with many polling units seeing fewer participants than expected. Both the APC and PDP have expressed concerns about the turnout, with the PDP particularly vocal in challenging some aspects of the election process.
The PDP has already set up a legal team to review the election in areas where it believes the process may have been compromised, while the APC has welcomed the results in areas where it has claimed victory.
As INEC continues the collation process, the final picture of who will control the FCT area councils will soon be clear. For now, the APC’s dominance remains unchallenged in several key regions, but Gwagwalada’s PDP win serves as a reminder that the political landscape in the FCT can shift.
Sunday Michael Ogwu is a Nigerian journalist and editor of Pinnacle Daily. He is known for his work in business and economic reporting. He has held editorial roles in prominent Nigerian media outlets, where he has focused on economic policy, financial markets, and developmental issues affecting Nigeria and Africa more broadly.
