APC Dominates FCT Area Council Elections Amid Vote Buying Allegations and Technical Glitches
The All Progressives Congress emerged as the leading party in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory area council elections held February 21, 2026, though election observers raised concerns about vote buying and technical malfunctions affecting the results viewing portal.
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) secured significant victories across multiple polling units in the Federal Capital Territory area council elections held on February 21, 2026, despite widespread reports of electoral irregularities and technical challenges that marred the exercise.
According to early results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC candidates dominated in strategic locations including Presidential Villa polling units and key constituencies across the six area councils. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chair, secured victory at the polling unit of a prominent government candidate with 229 votes, signaling the party's strong performance in the capital city.
Electoral Irregularities Documented
Election observer group Yiaga Africa released a preliminary statement documenting several challenges that threatened the credibility of the polls. The organization reported alleged vote buying by party agents at some polling units, alongside logistical failures including late opening of polling stations and delayed deployment of election materials, according to Vanguard News.
Technical difficulties further complicated the electoral process when the INEC Results Viewing (IREV) portal experienced malfunctions during vote collation. The Obidient movement, a political advocacy group, raised concerns about the portal's functionality, urging vigilance during the collation of polling unit results as reported by Legit.ng. The IREV system, designed to provide real-time transparency in election results, has been a focal point of electoral reforms in Nigeria following controversies in previous national elections.
The elections covered 2,822 polling units across 62 wards in six area councils: Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. While the APC demonstrated dominance in most areas, opposition parties secured victories in isolated polling units, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) defeating the APC at Jedo Polling Unit, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recording strong performances in specific constituencies.
Opposition Pockets of Resistance
PDP presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim delivered his polling unit at Big Cele Settlement in Dutse Alhaji, Bwari Area Council, to his party with a decisive margin over APC and ADC candidates. "We thank residents for what we described as their peaceful participation and strong backing," Olawepo-Hashim stated following the announcement of results, as reported by Vanguard News. The victory demonstrated the PDP's continued relevance in certain FCT communities despite the APC's federal government advantage.
Voter turnout appeared mixed across the territory, with INEC IREV results indicating particularly low participation in Presidential Villa polling units despite the APC's victories there. The disparity between turnout figures and the ruling party's performance raised questions among opposition supporters about voter mobilization strategies and potential irregularities.
Security Assessment
Despite the documented challenges, security forces provided a positive assessment of the electoral environment. Dr. Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), expressed satisfaction with what he characterized as the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections, according to The Nation Newspaper. The security presence across polling units appeared sufficient to prevent major incidents of violence, a persistent concern in Nigerian elections.
The FCT area council elections serve as a barometer for political sentiment in Nigeria's capital and often provide insights into national political dynamics ahead of state and federal elections. The 2026 exercise occurred against a backdrop of economic challenges and ongoing debates about electoral reforms, with civil society organizations continuing to advocate for improvements in INEC's technological infrastructure and transparency mechanisms.
As collation continues across the six area councils, attention now turns to how INEC will address the documented irregularities and technical failures. The commission faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that its electronic systems can function reliably during critical phases of the electoral process, particularly as Nigeria prepares for more consequential elections in the coming years. Opposition parties have signaled their intention to challenge results in constituencies where irregularities were documented, setting the stage for potential legal contests in the weeks ahead.