FCT Council Election Set for February 2026  

By Gloria Thomas, Abuja

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has announced Saturday 21 February 2026, for election into the Six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

National Chairman of INEC, Proferssor Mahmood Yakubu while addressing the first quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties announced the date as stipulated by law.

He said the Commission was alive to its responsibilities as it prepares for the Anambra Governorship election in November 2025.

Professor Mahmood cited Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires the Commission to issue the notice for elections not later than 360 days before the date of the election.

This applies to the General as well as off-cycle elections considering that the Commission is responsible for the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the only part of the country where INEC conducts local government election.

The last Area Council election in the FCT was held on 12 February 2022. By the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councilors’ ends next year. Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2026 Area Council election in FCT will hold on Saturday 21st February 2026. Voting will take place in all the designated Polling Units across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors,” INEC boss siad.

He stated that In compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election would be published on the  26th of February 2025.

“Party primaries will be held from 9th – 30th June 2025. The candidate nomination portal will open from 9.00am on 21st July 2025 to 6.00pm on 11th August 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 22nd September 2025. Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 24th September 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 19th February 2026”. 
Elections in 2025

The INEC Chairman informed the political parties that in terms of elections and electoral activities, the year 2025 is going to be busier than 2024 especially after the release of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Anambra State Governorship election holding on Saturday 8th November 2025.

“May I remind leaders of political parties that primaries for the nomination of candidates for the Anambra State Governorship election begins in the next two months i.e. 20th March to 10th April 2025.

“You may similarly recall that at our last regular meeting, we agreed that you will forward your schedule of activities for the election to the Commission to enable us work together and plan better for the deployment of personnel and resources for the monitoring of your party primaries and campaign activities in order to avoid the last minute rush with the attendant inability to meet deadlines and unnecessarily dissipate our energy and lean resources.

“So far, only a few parties are in compliance. I urge those that have not done so to submit the details by the end of this week,” he explained.

Upcoming Activities 

He said the Commission would come up with plans for other routine activities such as the resumption of nationwide Continuous Voter registration (CVR) and the conduct of outstanding bye-elections as vacancies now exist in 23 Federal and state constituencies as a result of death of serving members or their voluntary resignation for executive positions at Federal, State and even Local Government levels as Ministers, Commissioners, Chairman of a Local Government and even board appointments.
Challenges

Professor Mahmood Yakubu implored the political parties to work with the Commission in reducing the number of bye- elections.

“The Commission has conducted nine bye-elections early last year, 14 more vacancies have occurred since then. They are unpredictable, unbudgeted and difficult to plan in advance. Worse, some bye-elections lead to more bye-elections. Not only are these bye-elections costly, they also divert the Commission’s attention from its other extensive electoral responsibilities’.

Elections in 2024

The INEC Chairman said the Commission conducted 51 re-run elections, bye-elections and off-cycle elections in 2024.

“In February, the Commission conducted re-run elections in 39 constituencies combined with nine bye-elections arising from vacancies in the national and State Assemblies nationwide. It also conducted two Governorship elections, the last one held in November 2024 in Ondo State,” he said.
Concluded activities

Mahmood stated that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise organised ahead of the Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections, the publication of our 2023 General Election Report and the release of the Review Report containing 142 recommendations arising from its in-house and external engagements with stakeholders, 16 regular consultative meetings, where successfully concluded.

The INEC Chairman said over the last nine years since 2016, the present Commission has been advocating for a more cost-effective alternative means of filling vacancies as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world.

“We have similarly been appealing to stakeholders, including political parties, to join the advocacy and for the National Assembly to amend the law accordingly,” he added.

IPAC

Chairman of the Interparty Advisory Council, IPAC, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, charged INEC to adequately plan for the November 2025 Governorship election in Anambra State, South East Nigeria and the 2027 general election in order to get it right and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

While preparations for the Anambra State gubernatorial election are on, the Commission should also activate its Election Project Plan (EPP), Strategic Programme of Action (SPA), the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan and Strategic Plan Implementation Programme (SPIP) for the 2027 general election.

“To whom much is given much is expected, INEC should know that fellow compatriots count on it for transparent elections that will usher in visionary leaders who will transform the nation. The Commission should justify the confidence reposed in it, put its act together and improve on previous performance,” the IPAC Chairman said.

Dantalle added that the conduct of successful election is a collective responsibility of stakeholders and they all must rebuild trust in the electoral process.

He says, “Low voter turnout in previous elections is worrisome and a sad commentary in our democratic process. This narrative must change! We must continue to work together in ensuring electoral integrity, the sanctity of the ballot box and the mandate of the people”.

He urges stakeholders to support the Commission in discharging its statutory duties essential in consolidating and strengthening our constitutional governance.

The IPAC Chairman noted that May 29, 2025, will be the mid-term for public officers elected in the 2023 general election and also an opportunity to evaluate how elected officers have delivered on the electoral promises to the Nigerian people as well as how political actors have deepened the nation’s democracy.

On its part, INEC as the regulatory body of political parties has conducted seven general elections from 1999 to 2023, aside numerous off-season elections, by-elections, re-run elections and supplementary elections. With remarkable reforms and steady development in the electoral process, so much is expected from the Commission in conducting free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections that meet international standards. Therefore, the preparation for the conduct of the eight general election in 2027 should commence immediately to enable the Commission put in place all requirements in due time and to meet the expectation of Nigerians”.

Call on NASS

He urged the National Assembly to expedite action in the on-going Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments, as time is of the essence; as well as ensure diligent and speedy consideration and passage of the 2025 appropriation bill.

We also urge citizens to be alive to their civic responsibilities and ensure that those they voted into office should give genuine account of their stewardship. Their performance will determine their fate in future elections,” he stated.

Yusuf Mamman Dantalle said political Parties belong to all Nigerians and every Nigerian is at liberty to join any political party of his choice.

“However, it has to be in line with the party’s constitution. But to join a party with the sole aim of becoming its national chairman contrary to its constitution is unjust and repugnant to good conscience, and should be condemned by all lovers of democratic governance.

 “As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will always intervene in national issues in the quest for a strong, united, stable, progressive, equitable and just democratic nation,” he added.

 

 

Confidence Okwuchi

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