February 22, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel – Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended its dominance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections with a decisive victory in the Abaji Area Council chairmanship poll. Umar Abdullahi Abubakar of the APC was declared winner after securing 15,536 votes, leaving his rivals far behind.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate scored 4,547 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) trailed with just 37 votes. With this win, Hon. Abdullahi Umar Abubakar officially becomes the chairman of Abaji Area Council.
The result strengthens APC’s hold in the FCT, following earlier victories in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, and Kwali. In AMAC, incumbent chairman Christopher Maikalangu retained his seat with 40,295 votes. APC’s Joshua Ishaku and Daniel Nuhu also claimed victories in Bwari and Kwali Area Councils, polling 18,466 and 17,032 votes respectively.
The PDP recorded its only victory in Gwagwalada Area Council, where Mohammed Kasim defeated the APC candidate 22,165 to 17,788 votes.
However, the elections were far from smooth. Reports emerged across several polling units of missing voter names, leaving many residents unable to cast their ballots despite having valid Permanent Voter Cards. In some areas, entire alphabetical groups were absent from registers, triggering protests and frustration.
Observers also raised concerns over late arrival of election materials, poorly coordinated polling units, and confusion over voter assignments. Technical glitches with accreditation devices, sporadic incidents of violence, and restricted access for observers further undermined confidence in the process.
Civil society organizations like Yiaga Africa warned that these logistical and procedural lapses could cast doubt on the integrity of the results. Voter turnout was notably low in several areas, highlighting widespread apathy and disenfranchisement during the exercise.
Despite the controversies, APC’s stronghold in the FCT councils appears solid, with party officials celebrating the wins as a reaffirmation of their influence in Nigeria’s capital territory.
