All Progressives Congress Sweeps FCT, Rivers, Kano Polls as Peoples Democratic Party Clinches Gwagwalada

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared winners in Saturday’s area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and by-elections conducted in Rivers and Kano states, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) recording sweeping victories across most of the contested seats.

INEC conducted chairmanship and councillorship elections across the six area councils of the FCT, alongside by-elections in two constituencies in Rivers State and legislative elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies of Kano State.

APC Dominates FCT Polls

In Kuje Area Council, APC candidate Danjuma Shekwolo emerged victorious with 17,269 votes, defeating the PDP’s Zakwoyi Danlami, who polled 15,824 votes, and Abdullahi Galadima of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who secured 4,305 votes.

The Returning Officer, Nkiruka Odoh of the University of Abuja, declared Shekwolo duly elected, having satisfied the constitutional requirements and scored the highest number of valid votes cast.

In Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), APC’s Christopher Maikalangu was returned elected after polling 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) garnered 12,109 votes, while the PDP trailed with 3,398 votes.

Similarly, in Kwali Area Council, APC’s Daniel Nuhu secured 17,032 votes to defeat PDP candidate Haruna Pai, who scored 8,575 votes.

However, the PDP recorded a lone victory in Gwagwalada Area Council, where its candidate, Mohammed Kasim, won the chairmanship seat with 22,165 votes, defeating the APC’s Yahaya Shehu, who polled 17,788 votes. INEC described the Gwagwalada election as peaceful and smoothly conducted.

Rivers By-Elections

In Rivers State, the APC secured both contested seats in the by-elections into the State House of Assembly.

APC candidate Henrietta Loolo won the Khana Constituency II seat with 7,647 votes. The election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of former lawmaker Dinebari Loolo. Khana Constituency II comprises 155 polling units across eight wards.

In Ahoada East II Constituency, APC’s Napoleon Ukalikpe emerged victorious with 3,980 votes. The seat became vacant following the resignation of Edison Ehie, who was appointed Chief of Staff to the state governor. The polls filled two vacant seats in the Rivers State 10th Assembly.

APC Takes Kano Seats Amid Low Turnout

The APC also clinched the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Assembly seats in Kano State, amid reports of low voter turnout.

In Kano Municipal Constituency, APC candidate Aliyu Daneji secured 7,484 votes to win the seat. Returning Officer Ibrahim Siraj declared him duly elected, having met all legal requirements and scored the highest number of valid votes.

In Ungogo Constituency, APC’s Aminu Sa’ad polled 8,975 votes to claim victory, with the result announced by Returning Officer Ali Abdullahi.

Major opposition parties, including the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the PDP, and the ADC, were not on the ballot and did not participate in the Kano by-elections.

Pre-Election Tensions in FCT

The FCT polls were preceded by controversy over a 22-hour restriction on human and vehicular movement.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike defended the directive, stating that it had the approval of President Bola Tinubu and was not imposed unilaterally.

However, FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe criticised the measure as excessive and undemocratic.

Tinubu Commends Peaceful Conduct

President Tinubu congratulated the winners across the FCT, Rivers, and Kano, urging them to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication to their constituents.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended INEC, security agencies, and voters for the peaceful conduct of the elections, noting that the exercise further strengthens Nigeria’s democratic institutions.