PDP SETS UP LEGAL TEAM TO CHALLENGE FCT AREA COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS

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By: Sefiu Ajape

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a special legal team to handle election petitions arising from the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

The opposition party also congratulated its candidates who emerged winners in the chairmanship and councilor elections.

HOTJIST reports that the elections were held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across all six FCT area councils, including Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. Results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said, “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 (INEC).

“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.”

Ememobong added that reports and video evidence indicate voter intimidation and unlawful conduct influenced the outcome of the elections. “Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”

To address complaints and litigations arising from the polls, the PDP has set up a legal team headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq. The statement urged candidates with legitimate grievances to contact the Legal Adviser promptly, warning that delays could jeopardise their chances in election petition cases.

“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 the electoral outcomes from elections 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,” the statement added.

The PDP also called on the National Assembly and the President to take corrective action to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.