By mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates contesting in the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
The publication follows the earlier release of personal particulars of candidates on August 18, 2025, in line with the Commission’s timeline for the elections. According to INEC, a total of 17 political parties successfully uploaded the details of their candidates on Form EC9 before the deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025. The period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates has also elapsed.
National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, mni, said the final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public access. The list contains details of candidates’ political parties, ages, gender, and academic qualifications.
“With this publication, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates will be allowed except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate before Election Day, as provided by Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act,” Olumekun stated.
The FCT Area Council Elections are held every three years and are considered a key democratic exercise in Nigeria’s capital city. The elections determine chairmen and councillors across the six Area Councils of the FCT: Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Observers note that the 2026 polls will be closely watched, as they often serve as an early test of political parties’ grassroots mobilization strength ahead of nationwide elections.
INEC urged political parties, candidates, and the electorate to familiarize themselves with the published list and prepare accordingly for the February polls.
