According to a report by The Punch on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has solidified its dominance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by securing victory in five out of six Area Council chairmanship positions in the February 21, 2026, local government elections, according to emerging results and declarations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The sole exception was Gwagwalada Area Council, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Kasim Mohammed, emerged victorious with 22,165 votes, defeating the APC’s Yahaya Shehu, who polled 17,788 votes. INEC Returning Officer Philip Akpen declared, “Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
In contrast, the APC swept the remaining councils. In Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), incumbent Christopher Maikalangu (often referred to in some reports as Hon. Chris Garki) retained his seat with 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid ballots. The collation officer, Andrew Abue, announced, “Having satisfied the requirements of the law, Christopher Maikalangu of the APC is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.” The African Democratic Congress (ADC) placed second with 12,109 votes, while the PDP trailed with 3,398.
For Bwari Area Council, INEC declared Joshua Ishaku of the APC the winner after he garnered 18,466 votes. In Kwali, Daniel Nuhu (also listed as Hon. Nuhu Daniel Kwali) of the APC triumphed with 17,032 votes, surpassing the PDP’s 8,575. Kuje saw Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo of the APC victorious, and Abaji went to Abdullahi Umar Abubakar of the APC.
Election observer group Yiaga Africa commended the largely peaceful conduct of the polls, which involved 637 candidates from 17 political parties across the six area councils. Despite isolated reports of voter apathy and delays in some areas, the process was described as credible and orderly…..See More
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