Abuja, March 4, 2026 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday formally presented certificates of return to the winners of the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The ceremony, held at INEC’s FCT office in Abuja, officially concluded the electoral process and conferred legal authority on the elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors to assume office.
Leading the recipients was the re-elected Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, and his Vice Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Nadabo, who secured victory in the keenly contested polls. Certificates were also issued to the chairmen and vice chairmen of the other five area councils—Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—as well as the 62 newly elected councillors representing various wards across the territory.
FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Aminu Idris, presided over the presentation and described the exercise as the “formal conclusion of a successful, transparent, and credible electoral process.” In his address, Idris congratulated the winners and urged them to view their mandates as a sacred trust from the people.
“On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate all of you on your victory at the polls. I urge you to regard your mandates as a call to serve the people,” Idris said. “Your election reflects the trust reposed in you by the electorate. I encourage you to discharge your duties with a strong sense of responsibility and work tirelessly to address the needs of your constituents.”
The REC commended critical stakeholders—including the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, political parties, civil society organizations, and the media—for their contributions to a largely peaceful and hitch-free election. He noted that the process demonstrated INEC’s commitment to deepening grassroots democracy in the FCT, which serves as Nigeria’s political capital and administrative hub.
Speaking to journalists shortly after receiving his certificate, Chairman Maikalangu expressed profound gratitude to God, the people of AMAC, and his campaign team. He described the certificate presentation as the “final bus stop” in the electoral journey that began with party primaries and culminated in the February 21 polls.
Maikalangu, who is beginning his second term, reaffirmed his administration’s focus on rural development. He announced that no less than 80 per cent of projects and programmes in the new tenure would target rural communities, which he described as the heart of local government administration.
“When you talk about local government, you are talking about local people. As usual, I will prioritise rural areas because most of our activities are concentrated there,” he said. “I thank the people for their votes, and I will repay them with the dividends of democracy.”
The AMAC chairman highlighted the need for ward-specific interventions, pointing to densely populated and rapidly growing areas such as Kabusa and Garki as requiring urgent attention in infrastructure, sanitation, security, and social services. He pledged to tailor development initiatives to the unique needs and demographics of each ward, ensuring equitable resource distribution.
In a notable display of political maturity, Maikalangu extended an olive branch to his opponents from rival parties. “We were never enemies. I do not insult my rivals; we are political associates. Let them join us so that together we can move AMAC forward,” he said, calling for collaboration to accelerate progress and improve living standards across the council.
Vice Chairman-elect Mohammed Nadabo echoed similar sentiments, assuring residents of an inclusive, open-door administration. He emphasized a people-centered approach that recognizes the diversity of needs across wards.
“In some wards, the priority may be water; in others, it could be education or infrastructure. We understand these differences and will act based on available resources to avoid creating unrealistic expectations,” Nadabo stated. He promised transparent governance, regular engagement with constituents, and accountability in the use of council funds.
The February 21 Area Council elections were conducted amid tight security and logistical preparations by INEC, with turnout varying across the six councils. Results declared by the commission showed competitive races in several wards, particularly in AMAC, where Maikalangu’s victory was seen as a strong endorsement of his first-term performance in areas such as road rehabilitation, waste management, primary healthcare, and rural electrification.
The presentation of certificates of return paves the way for the elected officials to take their oaths of office in the coming days, after which they will assume full executive and legislative responsibilities. In the FCT, area councils play a critical role in delivering grassroots services, including primary education, healthcare, markets, sanitation, roads, and local security support, complementing federal and ministerial administration.
Political observers view the successful conclusion of the polls and certificate issuance as a positive signal for democratic consolidation at the local level in the FCT. The emphasis on rural development, inclusivity, and cross-party collaboration by the AMAC leadership has been welcomed by community leaders and civil society groups, who hope it translates into tangible improvements for residents.
As the new council leaders settle into office, expectations remain high for accelerated development, especially in underserved rural and peri-urban communities that form the bulk of the FCT’s population outside the city center. With the electoral process now formally closed, attention shifts to governance delivery in the months ahead.
