FCT polls: APC mulls legal action over loss in Gwagwalada

2026-02-23 - 09:16

By Omeiza Ajayi The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has described its victory in last Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory FCT Area Council elections as a definitive validation of the “Renewed Hope” agenda and a dress rehearsal for the 2027 general election. While celebrating a near-clean sweep, the party leadership also put the opposition on notice regarding the results in Gwagwalada Area Council, stating that a legal challenge is imminent. APC National Chairman, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, said the victory, particularly in the Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC, is a strategic indicator for the next general election. He mocked the opposition for focusing on media presence rather than grassroots engagement. “I am also happy because four days ago, one of the leaders of the coalition made a prophecy that anybody who wins AMAC, because it is the most cosmopolitan community in the FCT, the person has won the election in 2027. We see this election as a dress rehearsal of the 2027 and the prophecy made by the opposition was fulfilled on Saturday,” Yilwatda said. He also contrasted the party’s methods with its rivals, saying; “While they were on TV, social media, we were with the people not just in words but in actions.” Chairman of the FCT APC Campaign Council and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, provided the primary justification for the party’s intent to contest the Gwagwalada results in court. Addressing the party’s Situation Room, he confirmed that the loss is being reviewed. “Gwagwalada, we will keep looking at the electoral documents to see if the chances are there to reclaim the seat for you through the legal processes,” AbdulRazaq stated. The governor credited the victory in the five other councils to President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. He said, “We thank Mr President for showing leadership, showing direction for the party... his policies have led to what we achieved today. The people of Abuja have embraced his policies and they have turned out to vote for our party.” Secretary of the Campaign Council and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, emphasised that the visibility of government projects served as the party’s most effective campaign tool. He noted that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” moved from mere rhetoric to tangible development. “Policies of government and their implementation... became a campaign tool for this committee. Because people could see visibly what we were trying to preach in the last two years plus. It made our job easier when we engaged,” Kalu stated.