APC Sweeps Three FCT Area Councils as PDP Takes Gwagwalada in Saturday Elections
Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress secured chairmanship victories in Bwari, AMAC, and Kwali area councils, while the opposition PDP won Gwagwalada in Federal Capital Territory elections held February 21, 2026.
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has consolidated its dominance in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, winning chairmanship elections in three of the six area councils where results have been declared, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in Gwagwalada.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began announcing results on Sunday, February 22, following Saturday's elections across the territory's area councils. The electoral contests, closely watched as a potential indicator of political sentiment ahead of the 2027 general elections, saw varying levels of voter participation across the six councils.
APC Secures Key Victories in AMAC and Bwari
Christopher Maikalangu of the APC emerged victorious in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), the territory's most populous administrative division. According to Vanguard News, INEC declared Maikalangu the duly elected chairman following collation of results from multiple wards, including Nyanya and Karishi. Premium Times reported that AMAC recorded 837,338 registered voters, with 65,676 accredited for the election, representing approximately 7.8 percent turnout.
In Bwari Area Council, Joshua Ishaku of the APC secured the chairmanship seat with 18,466 votes, according to the Peoples Gazette. The election covered 10 wards including Igu, Shere, Dutse, Ushafa, Byazhin, Kuduru, Kubwa, Usuma, Bwari Central, and Kawu, Premium Times reported. Ward Collation Officer Chioma Agu oversaw the announcement of results in several polling units, demonstrating INEC's systematic approach to result compilation.
The APC's winning streak extended to Kwali Area Council, where Daniel Nuhu secured victory across a majority of wards, according to Premium Times. The Kwali result, announced late Sunday, prompted celebrations among APC supporters who viewed the outcome as validation of the party's grassroots appeal in the territory.
PDP Breaks APC Dominance in Gwagwalada
The PDP prevented a complete APC sweep by winning the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election. Prof. Philip Akpeni, serving as Returning Officer, declared Mohammed Kasim the winner after he polled 22,165 votes, The Whistler reported. The victory represented a significant achievement for the opposition party in a territory where the ruling party has traditionally maintained strong influence.
Kasim's campaign focused on community welfare, women's empowerment, improved healthcare services, and enhanced education opportunities for children, according to Premium Times. His manifesto resonated with voters in Gwagwalada, where infrastructure development and social services have been persistent concerns among residents.
Implications for 2027 Electoral Landscape
The FCT area council elections carry significance beyond local governance, serving as a barometer for national political sentiment. An APC official quoted by the Peoples Gazette stated that the results indicated the party "was ready for victory in 2027," referencing Nigeria's next presidential and legislative elections.
However, the relatively low voter turnout in AMAC and the PDP's success in Gwagwalada suggest a more nuanced political landscape than the raw numbers might indicate. Electoral analysts have noted that area council elections in the FCT often reflect local issues and candidate appeal rather than purely partisan considerations, though party machinery remains crucial for mobilization.
INEC's systematic collation process, with ward-level officers like Chioma Agu announcing results at designated collation centers, demonstrated the commission's commitment to transparency in the electoral process. The staggered announcement of results from different wards and councils allowed for public scrutiny of the tallying process.
As INEC continues collating results from the remaining area councils—Abaji and Kuje—attention now turns to whether the APC can extend its winning streak or if the PDP will secure additional victories. The final tally will provide a clearer picture of political alignments in Nigeria's capital territory and potentially influence campaign strategies as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. The area council chairmen-elect will assume office for four-year terms, tasked with addressing local development priorities ranging from infrastructure to healthcare and education in their respective jurisdictions.