Nigeria : Ahead of 2027 - APC Wins 5 Out of 6 FCT Area Councils , ADC Mum

allafrica.com · Feb 23, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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*Tinubu: Successful conduct of polls in nation's capital, Rivers, Kano has strengthened our democratic culture, institutions *Yilwatda: Our victories are clear testament to grassroots strength *Outcome has exposed emergency democrats, declares Wike *Southern Govs, Lagos hail president, party Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn *PDP wants INEC to release results of two wards in Kuje, congratulates successful candidates *Olawepo-Hashim says FCT results signal PDP's resurgence *INEC denies migrating voters to new polling units *EFCC arrests 20 over alleged electoral fraud Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan,Adedayo Akinwale, Alex Enumah in Abuja, Segun James in Lagos and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano 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, yesterday, 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 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. 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. Tinubu: Successful Conduct of Polls in FCT, Rivers, Kano Has Strengthened Democracy President Bola Tinubu stressed that the successful conduct of Saturday's elections in FCT, Rivers and Kano has further strengthened democratic culture and institutions. Tinubu called on INEC to continue to improve on its efforts to deliver even more exemplary electoral processes. The president, in a release by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, felicitated the winners in FCT, Rivers and Kano states. Tinubu urged the winners to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication and to view the mandate given to them by the people as a sacred trust. He commended Wike for his achievements in the FCT, which had yielded political dividends to the governing APC. The president congratulated the APC national leadership, as well as its Kano and Rivers leaderships, and all members of the party, on the victories at the polls. He lauded INEC, security agencies, and voters for the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections. He also commended the courage and discipline displayed by all the contestants, stating that democracy is enriched with the vibrancy of participation and competition. Yilwatda: APC Victories Are Clear Testament to Grassroots Strength National Chairman of APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described the party's victories in the FCT as well as the by-elections in Kano and Rivers states as a clear testament to the resilience, unity, and grassroots strength of the party. Yilwatda, in a post on X, commended party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters across the two states and FCT for their discipline and dedication. He stated, "I heartily congratulate our teeming supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, and Rivers States on the successful and peaceful conduct of the Saturday, 21st February 2026 polls. "The victories recorded are a clear testament to the resilience, unity, and grassroots strength of our great party. "I warmly congratulate the five APC chairmanship candidates who emerged victorious in AMAC, Kuje, Abaji, Bwari and Kwali, as well as the PDP chairmanship candidate who won in Gwagwalada. "The people have spoken through the ballot, and democracy has prevailed. I also congratulate the four state House of Assembly candidates who secured victory in Kano and Rivers States." Wike: Outcome of FCT Polls Has Exposed Emergency Democrats Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the peaceful conduct of the FCT elections, stating that the outcome has exposed emergency democrats, who see nothing good in the country and its government. In a broadcast yesterday, Wike said the outcome of the election had shown to Nigerians which party was the ruling party and the real opposition party in the country. He described the peaceful conduct of the election as a testament to the commitment of the people of the FCT to democracy and good governance. "The residents of FCT demonstrated that they cannot be deceived by emergency democrats, who have chosen not to see anything good in our country and its government," Wike said. He thanked the president for the development he had brought to FCT. The minister said the election was a reflection of Tinubu's vision and leadership, and a testimony that the Renewed Hope Agenda had brought optimism and confidence to the people of FCT. He stated, "This election has, indeed, shown that Nigerians now know the ruling party and the real opposition party. "Also, the election has further exposed the hypocrisy of people, who go about buying corn and groundnut from roadside sellers for the purpose of campaign just to deceive Nigerians. "Yesterday, the residents of FCT demonstrated that they cannot be deceived by emergency democrats, who have chosen not to see anything good in our country and its government. "I thank Mr President for the development he has brought to the FCT. This election is a reflection of the president's vision and leadership, and a testimony that the Renewed Hope Agenda has brought optimism and confidence to the people of the FCT. "No doubt, the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly the residents of the FCT, has not gone unnoticed. "The Renewed Hope Agenda has given us hope for a brighter future, and we are confident that under his leadership, the FCT will continue to be a model of development and progress." Wike added, "I commend the president for standing firm in his defence of democracy, particularly in ensuring the amendment of the Electoral Act to strengthen the conduct of credible elections. This demonstrates his commitment to improving our democr