The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body charged with the responsibility of conducting the Area Councils’ election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fixed Saturday, February 21, 2026 for the election into the six Area Councils within the FCT.

According to the information put out by INEC in September last year, a total of 17 political parties uploaded the particulars of their candidates on Form EC9 as at the close of deadline by 6pm of Monday, August 11, 2025. By implication, 17 political parties would be competing in that election. But the battle is likely to be a straight fight between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has left no one doubt that he embarked on the transformation of the FCT so as to make the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) attractive to voters within the FCT. President Bola Tinubu too has not hidden the fact that he wants his party to win the FCT.

Tinubu, while commending Wike for the infrastructural transformation of the FCT, expressed the hope that such good performance will give victory to the APC, especially in the FCT in 2027.

He described the FCT minister as ‘Mr. Infrastructure’ and listed some of the various initiatives and projects executed by the minister, saying that they have translated to better lives for Abuja residents, for which he remains grateful to the former Rivers governor.

President Tinubu had said “… and when we started, he came up with a lot of good ideas to liberate the bureaucracy, bring forward-looking, progressive thinking to the administration, and giving the opportunity to many of you that would have still been hindered by property rights.

“The independent Civil Service Commission solution and all of that that we discussed give opportunity for upward mobility and promotions that is consistent with the civil service structure, the Area Councils structure, and the indiscriminate development in the face of dwindling resources.

“I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said ‘please, take us out of this problem of Treasury Single Account (TSA), so that I can do more work, and I achieve more’. Then I said, ‘okay, tell me what you’re about to do’. And he presented it, and I threw in my own political guide: ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party (APC) to win the election in FCT?’ I said ‘I know where you are coming from, your own party (PDP) or my party. If this thing goes too much in your own favour, you will lose your job.’ Then he said, ‘okay, we settle that, Oga.’

“And things started changing rapidly, and I started looking at the opening up of the rural areas, of abandoned projects, and the residence of the vice-president that has been abandoned for years came alive.

“The health centre are being rehabilitated. The health facilities of the residents of FCT are being upgraded. Our teachers at schools are being rehabilitated, buildings are furnished. Thank you Wike. We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouths to even celebrate, if not, because of the progressive ideas you have given.

“Our people are looking for results. They are looking for comfort. They are praying for good health. They are looking for a fairer, somebody with the heart. It is not about me, it’s about every one of us, and the diversity of Nigeria is being proved by Nyesom Wike.”

But all these happened before the current political impasse in Rivers State, between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike, with some big wigs within the ruling APC showing signs of willingness to take side with the governor against Wike. It is, therefore, not clear if Wike would be willing to deploy the same energy he exerted to win Rivers for President Tinubu in 2023, next month, during the FCT Area Councils’ election.

Although, President Tinubu’s desire is to win FCT in 2027, there is however 2026 before 2027.

Regardless, ahead of the FCT Area Councils’ election, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and now chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Peter Obi, has decided to canvass support for the party in the Federal

His presence significantly boosted the campaigns of Dr. Moses Paul, the ADC Chairmanship candidate for the February 21, 2026 contest in AMAC, and Hon. Josiah Musa Kuche of Bwari Area Council.

Demonstrating genuine compassion, Obi’s first stop was the Kugbo Furniture Market, where traders faced immense losses from a recent fire inferno. Writing on his X handle, he stated that “My visit to Abuja began with a strong show of solidarity at the Kugbo Furniture Market in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where traders experienced devastating losses due to this catastrophic event.

“In a time when many Nigerians are grappling with severe hardship, this loss is particularly distressing. The traders I met expressed profound gratitude for my choice to stand with them. I assured them that they would not only recover but thrive once more. Their resilience is crucial, and such incidents must be preventable through credible political leadership grounded in character, competence, capacity, and compassion.

“At the palace of the District Head, Chief Philip Jezhi, I received a warm welcome, with the royal father acknowledging the significance of my visit. I have consistently advocated for robust reforms in our emergency services to mandate timely responses to incidents of this nature.

“Accompanied by the ADC AMAC Chairmanship candidate, we prepared to energize support for the upcoming council elections on February 21, 2026. I made it clear that in Nigeria, we expect to prevent such catastrophic incidents. A poignant moment occurred to me at the Kugbo market when a nursing mother pushed through the crowd to have Obi touch her child; a wish fulfilled as Obi joyfully lifted the child, much to the delight of the gathering.”

According to Obi, the team moved from Kugbo to Bwari, where Hon. Josiah Musa Kuche officially launched his campaign in the local market square of Kubwa. The rally was a vibrant display of community support. Together with Dr. Moses Paul, the ADC AMAC local government candidate, Obi engaged directly with traders and the party faithful.

In his discussions, during the visit, he highlighted vital reasons to support the ADC party, emphasising its commitment to genuine candidates and sincere change that will transform our nation, adding that the community’s solidarity was palpable, their enthusiasm evident in their joyous expressions.

Hon. Abdullahi Musa, a former PDP member now with ADC, stated, that “This man (Obi) is a true leader who comes to the people; I will follow him wherever he goes.”

The third stop was Gui, a remote village along the Airport Road in the AMAC local council area, where Obi was met by an eager crowd radiating hope and unity, reinforcing ADC’s solidarity messages, during a courtesy call to the District Head, Alhaji Alhassan Yusuf.

The former Anambra State Governor expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to connect with rural communities, saying that “priority for me is gaining firsthand insight into their concerns”. He assured them that their steadfast support for the ADC AMAC chairmanship candidate would lead to improved infrastructure, including healthcare, water supply, and roads that have long been neglected in their community.

He further said that “I emphasised the importance of their participation in shaping a new Nigeria, achievable through harnessing their voting power in the local council elections on February 21, 2026. Together, we will forge the change they undeniably deserve.” (The Sun)