President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the winners of the recent elections held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano State, and Rivers State. The elections, overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), encompassed chairmanship and councillorship positions across the six area councils in the FCT, alongside by-elections for state assembly seats in specific constituencies in Kano and Rivers.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on February 22, 2026, President Tinubu extended his felicitations to the successful candidates. He described the mandate received by the winners as a sacred trust from the electorate, urging them to discharge their duties with humility, patriotism, and unwavering dedication. The President emphasized that such an approach would ensure effective service to the people and contribute to the broader strengthening of democratic institutions in Nigeria.
The polls in the FCT involved electing chairmen and councillors for the six area councils: Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji. These elections drew participation from multiple political parties, with over 1.68 million registered voters and voting conducted across approximately 2,822 polling units. Despite reports of low voter turnout, attributed partly to factors such as changes in polling unit locations, a curfew in parts of the FCT, and general voter apathy, the process was largely peaceful.
INEC's declarations highlighted strong performances by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in several area councils. In AMAC, incumbent chairman Christopher Maikalangu of the APC was returned elected after securing 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast. The collation officer, Andrew Abue, confirmed his victory, noting defeats for rivals including Paul Ogidi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with 12,109 votes and Dantani Zanda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 3,398 votes. Maikalangu's win was seen as aligned with the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been credited with driving infrastructural developments that bolstered APC's appeal in the territory.
The APC also triumphed in Bwari, where Joshua Ishaku was declared winner; in Kwali, with Daniel Nuhu polling 16,656 votes; and in Abaji. These results contributed to the APC securing at least four chairmanship seats, with ongoing collation indicating dominance in additional areas. The PDP, however, claimed victory in Gwagwalada, where its candidate Mohammed Kasim garnered 22,165 votes to defeat Yahaya Shehu of the APC (17,788 votes). In Kuje, results showed a competitive race, with the APC holding a narrow lead in some reports.
President Tinubu specifically commended Minister Nyesom Wike for his "remarkable achievements" in the FCT, which he stated had translated into tangible political gains for the APC. Wike's administration has focused on urban renewal, road infrastructure, security enhancements, and public service improvements, factors observers link to the party's electoral success in the capital territory.
In Kano State, by-elections filled vacancies in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo state constituencies of the Kano State House of Assembly, seats left vacant following the deaths of the previous lawmakers—Sarki Aliyu Daneji (Kano Municipal) and Aminu Sa’ad (Ungogo)—both originally elected on the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) platform in late 2025. The polls saw the APC emerge victorious in both constituencies amid a notable boycott by major opposition parties including the PDP, NNPP, and ADC, who cited alleged irregularities and issues with ballot papers.
In Kano Municipal, APC candidate Aliyu Nabil Daneji (son of the deceased lawmaker) polled 7,484 votes to secure the seat, defeating limited challengers such as Abdullahi Mohammad of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) with 31 votes. In Ungogo, Aminu Sa’ad Sa’ad (also a son of the late representative) won with 8,975 votes, as announced by returning officers Professors Ibrahim Tajo Siraj and Ali Tijjani Abdullahi, respectively. The APC's clean sweep in these by-elections underscored its growing influence in the state under Governor Abba Yusuf's administration.
Rivers State saw by-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies, also to fill vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The APC secured both seats in a peaceful process marked by low turnout and late arrival of materials in some areas. In Ahoada East II, Napoleon Ukalikpe of the APC was declared winner after polling 3,980 votes, defeating opponents including Ego Marvelous of the Action Alliance (33 votes). In Khana II, Henrietta Bulabari Loolo (also APC) won with 7,647 votes, surpassing candidates from smaller parties such as the African Alliance, NNPP, Young Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party. Returning Officer Prof. Rosemary Ogbo confirmed both victories, noting compliance with electoral laws.
President Tinubu praised INEC, security agencies, and voters for ensuring the elections were conducted peacefully and successfully. He highlighted the courage and discipline of all contestants, noting that vibrant participation and competition enrich Nigeria's democracy. The President called on INEC to build on this experience by further improving processes to deliver even more credible and exemplary elections in the future.
The statement also extended congratulations to the APC's national leadership, as well as its chapters in Kano and Rivers, and all party members for the victories. These outcomes reinforce the APC's momentum in key regions ahead of broader electoral cycles, while demonstrating the resilience of Nigeria's democratic framework despite challenges like low participation.
Overall, the February 21, 2026, polls—conducted under the framework of the updated Electoral Act—served as a test of institutional readiness and stakeholder commitment. Observers, including groups like Yiaga Africa, commended the largely orderly nature of the exercises, even as they noted areas for improvement such as voter mobilization and logistics. President Tinubu's message underscores a commitment to sustaining democratic progress through inclusive governance and institutional enhancement.
