Breaking: APC Dominates FCT Decides 2026, PDP Snags Gwagwalada – Full Area Council Results & Analysis

The much-anticipated FCT Decides 2026 Area Council elections have concluded, with final results officially released. Residents across all six councils — AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji — voted to determine local leadership for the next four years. The elections were closely monitored, with emphasis on transparency, peaceful conduct, and accurate collation of results.

The results reveal a clear dominance by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which secured five of the six chairmanship seats. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) broke through in Gwagwalada, signaling competitive opposition influence in select councils. Analysts suggest that these outcomes reflect both party loyalty and the impact of grassroots mobilization in different wards.

Final Winners & Vote Data by Council

Area Council	Winner	Party	Total Votes	Runner-Up	Votes	Vote Margin
Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)	Christopher Maikalangu	APC	78,410	Umar Faruq	42,185	36,225
Bwari Area Council	Joshua Ishaku	APC	52,730	Hajara Ahmed	27,940	24,790
Gwagwalada Area Council	Mohammed Kasim	PDP	61,240	Samuel Obi	58,105	3,135
Kuje Area Council	Rasheed Bala	APC	33,895	Felicia Eze	19,508	14,387
Kwali Area Council	Daniel Nuhu	APC	27,620	Grace Ilupeju	16,947	10,673
Abaji Area Council	Peter Ayuba	APC	15,980	Lydia Ojo	12,340	3,640

Key Takeaways from the 2026 FCT Area Council Elections

The elections provided valuable insights into voting patterns, party strengths, and governance expectations in Abuja’s local councils:

• APC Strength: Winning five of six councils, the APC consolidated its influence, especially in urban and peri-urban areas like AMAC and Bwari. This reflects a strong party machinery and consistent voter loyalty.
• PDP Breakthrough: Gwagwalada’s close result demonstrates PDP’s ability to mobilize voters in competitive areas. Analysts highlight this as a sign of evolving voter preferences and increased political pluralism.
• Voter Engagement: Urban councils such as AMAC and Gwagwalada had higher turnout rates, with youth participation playing a decisive role. Rural councils showed steady turnout, emphasizing the importance of community-based campaigns.
• Peaceful Elections: Across all councils, election day was calm. INEC officers and security personnel ensured smooth accreditation, voting, and collation processes, reflecting improved electoral management.
• Margin Insights: Wide vote margins in AMAC and Bwari highlight strong mandates for APC leaders, while narrow margins in Gwagwalada suggest competitive races that could impact local policymaking dynamics.

Implications for FCT Governance and Local Development

The elected council chairmen now hold the responsibility to shape the trajectory of grassroots governance in Abuja. Key implications include:

• Infrastructure Development: Roads, schools, healthcare centers, and public utilities are expected to be prioritized across councils.
• Youth & Women Empowerment: Programs targeting entrepreneurship, education, and social inclusion are likely to expand under the new leadership.
• Transparent Governance: The council chairmen are expected to uphold accountability, ensure proper fund utilization, and engage communities in decision-making processes.
• Political Collaboration: With APC dominating five councils and PDP winning Gwagwalada, opportunities exist for collaborative governance, especially in inter-council projects.

Expert Opinions

Political analysts have highlighted that the results are a reflection of both party organization and effective community engagement. One analyst noted, “The APC victories indicate that voters value continuity and local development records, while PDP’s Gwagwalada win shows the electorate is responsive to targeted grassroots campaigns.”

Labels & Tags

• #FCTDecides2026
• #AreaCouncilElectionResults
• Abuja Local Government Elections
• AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, Abaji
• APC & PDP Winners
• Local Governance Nigeria
• FCT Political Update