ABUJA: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that 637 candidates will contest for 68 seats in the upcoming 2026 Federal Capital Territory – FCT Area Council elections, scheduled for February 21, 2026.
The positions at stake include six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats spread across the six area councils of the FCT Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
According to a statement released on Thursday by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, nominations came from 17 registered political parties before the August 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m. submission deadline.
Following the conclusion of party primaries for the Area Council elections in the FCT, 17 political parties uploaded their candidates nomination forms before the deadline, when the portal automatically shut down, Olumekun said.
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In compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC will on Monday, August 18, 2025, publish the personal particulars of all nominated candidates, including their academic qualifications and other supporting documents, as provided in Form EC9.
These will be displayed at INEC offices in each of the six area councils for public inspection.
Olumekun encouraged residents, civil society organisations, and political stakeholders to review the displayed documents carefully.
He stressed that any aspirant with evidence that a candidate has submitted false information has the legal right to challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court under Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act.
The final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025, in line with Section 32(1) of the law, which mandates publication at least 150 days before the election date.
The FCT Area Council elections are significant because, unlike state and federal elections, they are held under a different constitutional arrangement.
Area Councils in the FCT function as the equivalent of local governments in the states, making them the third tier of governance and the closest to grassroots communities.
With 17 political parties fielding candidates, the contest is expected to be competitive, with major parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) likely to dominate.
However, smaller parties and independent-minded candidates may also make significant gains, especially in rural councils where local issues often outweigh national politics.
Residents of the FCT will be watching closely to see how candidates address challenges such as road infrastructure, water supply, education, security, and waste management.
Voter turnout in past Area Council elections has been relatively low, and INEC is expected to intensify voter education campaigns to encourage higher participation in 2026.
Olumekun concluded by reaffirming the commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, urging all stakeholders to adhere to the electoral timetable and the provisions of the law.
