PDP challenges FCT council election results, inaugurates legal team after APC wins five of six chairmanship seats
The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday inaugurated a special legal team to challenge the FCT council election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission following Saturday’s polls across the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.
Also read:Â APC Reschedules Ward and LGA Congresses in Abia State
The Independent National Electoral Commission announced that the All Progressives Congress won five of the six chairmanship seats, securing victories in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje. The Peoples Democratic Party clinched Gwagwalada.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the Peoples Democratic Party congratulated its successful candidates but alleged widespread irregularities and misconduct during the exercise.
The party said its legal team would be led by National Legal Adviser Shafi Bara’u and urged aggrieved candidates to act without delay.
Ini Ememobong alleged that the polls were characterised by intimidation, high powered money politics and executive interference.
Ini Ememobong claimed that reports and video evidence showed security personnel carting away result sheets and influencing outcomes at polling units.
The FCT council election results followed a process that saw over 239,000 voters participate, representing about 15 per cent of the 1,680,315 registered voters, according to the electoral commission.
The commission denied claims that voters were migrated to new polling units, explaining that split units were created in locations with over 1,250 registered voters to ease congestion.
The Independent National Electoral Commission said 93 per cent of polling unit results had been uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal by Sunday afternoon.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced the arrest of 20 suspects for alleged electoral offences, including vote buying and obstruction.
The agency said N17.2m was recovered during operations across several councils.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated winners of the elections and urged them to serve with humility.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the President described the mandate as a sacred trust and commended the peaceful conduct of the polls.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, praised residents for their participation and said the outcome clarified the country’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar warned of a shrinking democratic space, citing low turnout as evidence of declining public confidence in the electoral system.
A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, described the outcome as a sign of resurgence for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also read:Â APC Reschedules Ward and LGA Congresses in Abia State
The unfolding dispute over the FCT council election results sets the stage for a legal contest that could further test the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
