The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has tightened its grip on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the 2027 general election, winning five of the six Area Councils in the nation’s capital.
President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, hailed the successful conduct of Saturday’s elections in FCT, as well as by-elections in Rivers and Kano states, saying it has further strengthened democratic culture and institutions in the country.
National Chairman of APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described the victories of the party in FCT and the by-elections in Kano and Rivers states as a clear testament to the resilience, unity, and grassroots strength of the party.
Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, congratulated Tinubu on the conduct of Saturday’s FCT area council elections, saying the outcome has exposed emergency democrats, who have chosen not to see anything good in the country and its government.
Southern governors’ forum, under the leadership of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, applauded the performance of APC, saying the party’s strong showing represents wide acceptance by Nigerians.
The Lagos State chapter of APC said the poll results were a good testimonial of the good works of Tinubu.
However, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release the results of two wards in Kuje Area Council. PDP said there were indications that it was in lead in the two councils.
The party also congratulated its successful candidates in the FCT elections.
Similarly, PDP presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, described the outcome of the FCT elections as a strong evidence that the party was regaining momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, despite internal challenges and political pressure.
There was no official reaction to Saturday’s elections from the national leadership of the opposition coalition party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), as at press time on Sunday.
But the ADC chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul, refused to concede defeat, citing evidence of electoral irregularities and vowing to continue the fight for the people’s mandate.
Nonetheless, INEC denied migrating voters to new polling units different from their original polling units during the FCT elections. And operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that they arrested 20 persons believed to have engaged in sundry electoral offences during the FCT polls.
The FCT Area Council elections held on Saturday, February 21, saw APC winning Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Kwali, Kuje, Bwari, and Abaji, while PDP won Gwagwalada.
INEC, on Sunday morning, declared Mohammed Kasim of PDP as winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election.
INEC Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, announced that Mohammed scored 22,165 votes to secure a decisive victory in a keenly contested election, while Yahaya Shehu of APC came second with 17,788 votes
Akpen affirmed that Mohammed met the legal requirements to be returned as the duly elected chairman.
He described the electoral process as “peaceful and smooth”, despite the high stakes.
The electoral umpire also declared Daniel Nuhu of APC winner of Kwali Area Council chairmanship election. Nuhu polled 17,032 votes to defeat Haruna Pai of PDP, who scored 8,575 votes to come second in the election.
INEC declared Joshua Ishaku of APC winner of Bwari Area Council chairmanship election.
The returning officer, Mohammed Nurudeen, while declaring the results, said Ishaku secured a total of 18,466 votes to win the election.
The commission declared Zakka Christopher of APC winner of the AMAC chairmanship election.
The APC candidate scored a total of 40,295 votes to defeat ADC that polled 12,109 votes, while PDP trailed with 3,398 votes.
The ruling party continued its winning streak after INEC declared Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar of APC winner of Abaji Area Council election. Abubakar polled a total of 15,535 votes.
He defeated his closest challenger, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, who polled 5,357 votes. The PDP candidate trailed with 4,547 votes, followed by New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) with 53 votes, and ADC with 37 votes.
INEC further declared Hon. Samuel Shekwolo of APC winner of Kuje Area Council election.
With the outcome of the FCT area council election, APC and Tinubu are believed to have tightened their grip on Abuja ahead of the 2027 general election.
Although the FCT election was an off-season exercise that may not be used as a yardstick.
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan,Adedayo Akinwale, Alex Enumah, Segun James and Ahmad Sorondinki
Follow us on:
