The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the outcome of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, congratulating its successful candidates while announcing the inauguration of a legal team to challenge the conduct of the polls.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party alleged that the elections were marred by intimidation and executive interference.
“The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has congratulated successful candidates of the PDP in the Area Council Elections which were held in Abuja on February 21, 2026,” the statement read.
According to the party, the victories recorded were achieved despite what it described as unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics and brazen executive brigandage.
“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics and brazen executive brigandage,” the PDP stated.
The opposition party further alleged that armed security operatives were deployed to influence the outcome of the exercise.
“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections,” it said.
The PDP specifically congratulated Mohammed Kasim, who was declared the winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the statement added.
INEC had earlier declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Christopher Maikalangu, as the winner of the Abuja Municipal Area Council election.
The party announced the constitution of a special legal team to handle post-election complaints and litigation arising from the polls.
“We have set up a special Legal Team, headed by the National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq, to attend to candidates who have genuine complaints arising from these elections and to assist with post-election litigations,” the statement read.
It urged aggrieved candidates to act swiftly.
“They should immediately contact the National Legal Adviser for prompt action, as delay is fatal in election petition cases,” it added.
The PDP attributed the low voter turnout during the elections to what it termed flaws in the Electoral Act 2026.
“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in the electoral outcomes from elections conducted under this Act,” the party said.
It warned that the conduct of the FCT council elections could be a preview of the 2027 general elections if urgent reforms are not undertaken.
“These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027, if changes are not urgently made,” the PDP stated.
