- The Peoples Democratic Party has inaugurated a special legal team to challenge the FCT Area Council election results
- PDP alleges intimidation, vote-buying and electoral irregularities during the polls
- The party warns that the outcome may signal concerns ahead of the 2027 general elections
The Peoples Democratic Party has inaugurated a special legal team to challenge the outcome of Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, following the sweeping victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress.
According to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the APC secured five of the six chairmanship seats, winning in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje, while the PDP clinched only Gwagwalada.
In a statement issued on Sunday, February 22, by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP congratulated its successful candidates but alleged widespread irregularities during the polls.
The party announced that its legal challenge would be led by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq., urging aggrieved candidates to act swiftly.
“We specifically congratulate the chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics and brazen executive brigandage,” the statement read.
Ememobong further alleged misconduct during the elections.
“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets at polling units, intimidate voters and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”
The PDP also linked voter turnout to broader concerns about electoral credibility.
“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in electoral outcomes conducted under this Act.
“These local council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made.”
Despite the PDP’s objections, the INEC-declared results showed dominant performances by APC candidates across the FCT.
In AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu of the APC polled 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast. The Returning Officer, Andrew Abue, declared, “That Maikalangu of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
In Bwari, Joshua Ishaku of the APC secured 18,466 votes. Returning Officer Mohammed Nurudeen stated, “That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
Umar Abubakar of the APC won Abaji with 15,535 votes. INEC Returning Officer Muhammad Usman declared, “Umar Abdullahi Abubakar of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Similarly, APC candidates triumphed in Kwali and Kuje. In Kuje, Danjuma Shekwolo polled 17,269 votes. Returning Officer Prof Nkiruka Odoh of the University of Abuja said, “Shekwolo, having secured the highest number of votes and met all legal requirements, is duly elected and returned as Chairman of Kuje Area Council.”
The PDP’s sole victory came in Gwagwalada, where Mohammed Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat the APC candidate.
Announcing the result, Returning Officer Philip Akpen said, “That Mohammed Kasim of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
With the APC claiming five councils and the PDP securing one, the opposition party has now moved to contest the results in court, insisting that the elections were marred by intimidation, vote-buying and irregularities.