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. The outcome of Saturday’s polls has been hailed as a testament to the APC’s resilience and grassroots strength.

President Bola Tinubu praised the successful conduct of Saturday’s FCT area council elections, 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.

The 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, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release the results of two wards in Kuje Area Council, saying there were indications that it was in lead in the two councils. The party also congratulated its successful candidates in the FCT elections.

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 yesterday. 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.

INEC denied migrating voters to new polling units different from their original polling units during the FCT elections. And operatives of the 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 declared Mohammed Kasim of PDP as winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election, scoring 22,165 votes to secure a decisive victory.

INEC Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, announced 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.

INEC also declared Daniel Nuhu of APC winner of Kwali Area Council chairmanship election, polling 17,032 votes to defeat Haruna Pai of PDP, who scored 8,575 votes. Similarly, Joshua Ishaku of APC won Bwari Area Council, securing 18,466 votes.

Zakka Christopher of APC was declared winner of the AMAC chairmanship election, scoring 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, polling 15,535 votes.

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.