PDP Initiates Legal Battle Against APC Over FCT Council Election Outcomes
The Peoples Democratic Party has formally inaugurated a specialized legal team to contest the results of Saturday's Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, following the official declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission. INEC announced that All Progressives Congress candidates secured victory in five of the six chairmanship positions, specifically in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje, while the PDP managed to secure only the Gwagwalada chairmanship seat.
Allegations of Electoral Malpractice and Irregularities
In an official statement released by the party, PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong extended congratulations to the party's successful candidates but simultaneously raised serious allegations concerning widespread irregularities and voter intimidation throughout the electoral process. Ememobong revealed that the party's legal challenge would be spearheaded by National Legal Adviser Shafi Bara'u, Esq., indicating a determined approach to contesting the election outcomes.
"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," the statement articulated. "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 PDP spokesperson further alleged that security agencies were systematically deployed to manipulate election results, stating, "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." Ememobong additionally connected the remarkably low voter participation to public disillusionment with the current electoral framework, emphasizing, "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."
Official Election Results and Voter Participation Statistics
According to INEC's official declarations, Christopher Maikalangu of the APC emerged victorious in AMAC with 40,295 votes. Returning Officer Andrew Abue formally announced, "That Maikalangu of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected." Similar declarations were made across Bwari, Abaji, Kwali, and Kuje councils, where APC candidates were pronounced winners after meeting all legal requirements.
The PDP's solitary chairmanship triumph occurred in Gwagwalada, where Mohammed Kasim secured 22,165 votes. Returning Officer Philip Akpen declared, "That Mohammed Kasim of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected." INEC subsequently disclosed that approximately 239,000 voters participated in the elections, representing merely 15 percent of the 1,680,315 registered voters in the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing circulating claims regarding voter migration, the electoral commission clarified, "Contrary to the claim in some quarters that some voters were migrated to another/new polling units different from their original polling units, the commission wishes to state categorically that voters were not migrated." The commission explained that the creation of split polling units was implemented specifically to reduce congestion, with proper notifications dispatched to affected voters. INEC additionally reported that 93 percent of polling unit results had been successfully uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal as of Sunday afternoon.
EFCC Electoral Offenses Arrests and Political Reactions
Concurrently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed the arrest of 20 suspects for alleged electoral offenses, including vote buying and obstruction of electoral officers. EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale stated, "Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, arrested 20 suspects for sundry electoral offences in the just-concluded Federal Capital Territory, FCT, local government elections."
Oyewale detailed that one suspect was apprehended with N13.5 million in a vehicle parked near a polling booth in Kwali, with the total amount involved reaching N17,218,700. "The suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations," the statement confirmed.
President Bola Tinubu extended congratulations to the election winners, characterizing their mandate as "a sacred trust." According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the President commended INEC and security agencies for ensuring peaceful conduct during the polls while urging the victors to serve with genuine humility and dedication.
APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda characterized the election results as "a resounding endorsement of the ongoing reforms and governance direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu." He elaborated, "The Abuja election, in particular, is a powerful statement by Nigerians from all walks of life that they stand firmly with President Tinubu and his bold reform agenda."
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike similarly praised the election conduct, stating in a broadcast, "The peaceful conduct of the election is a testament to the commitment of the people of the FCT to democracy and good governance." He added that the outcome demonstrated "Nigerians now know the ruling party and the real opposition party," while urging the winners to serve with "humility, dedication, and commitment to excellence."
Opposition Concerns and Democratic Space Analysis
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar issued warnings regarding Nigeria's shrinking democratic space. In his statement, he described the voter turnout averaging below 20 percent as "a damning verdict on the health of Nigeria's democracy under the current administration."
He asserted, "It is the predictable outcome of a political environment poisoned by intolerance, intimidation, and the systematic weakening of opposition voices," while calling for opposition parties to unify, adding, "This is no longer about party lines; it is about preserving the Republic. The time to stand together to rescue and rebuild Nigeria is now."
PDP chieftain Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim interpreted the election outcome as evidence of political resurgence for the party, declaring, "The PDP is not declining. The PDP is rebuilding. And this is only the beginning."
