As the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gets ready for its Area Council elections in February 2026, voter registration has been extended to the ward level. This development reflects the increasing involvement in grassroots politics in Abuja and highlights the significance of the upcoming elections for both residents and political participants. In contrast to Nigeria’s 36
As the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gets ready for its Area Council elections in February 2026, voter registration has been extended to the ward level. This development reflects the increasing involvement in grassroots politics in Abuja and highlights the significance of the upcoming elections for both residents and political participants.
In contrast to Nigeria’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) does not have a governor or a state house of assembly. Governance at the local level is organised through six Area Councils: Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Abaji, Kwali, and Kuje. The elected chairmen and councillors in these councils are responsible for aspects of local administration, revenue collection, and service delivery.
For many residents, these elections represent the level of government they most frequently interact with, since council authorities manage primary healthcare, markets, local roads, and sanitation. Although these responsibilities affect daily life, previous elections have seen relatively low voter turnout.
Key Insights from Recent Elections
The February 2022 Area Council elections saw limited participation in Abuja. Both APC and PDP won seats, highlighting the city’s diverse political landscape, while smaller parties tried to capitalise on discontent with major parties.
However, low voter turnout, logistical delays, and limited awareness undermined the credibility of the exercise in the eyes of many citizens. For a city that is home to Nigeria’s political elite and millions of ordinary citizens, such apathy raises questions about the health of local democracy.
How the 2026 Elections Differ from Previous Contests
The February 2026 elections will occur amid heightened political tension. Abuja’s swift urban growth, rising population, and migration have expanded the voter base, potentially shifting council power—especially in the competitive Abuja Municipal and Bwari areas.
In 2022, smaller parties such as the Labour Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) sought to expand their presence in the FCT’s political landscape, responding to dissatisfaction with the two primary parties. The performance of LP in the 2023 General Election indicates that third-party participation may increase in the 2026 polls, particularly in Abuja Municipal and Bwari.
Voting in Abuja reflects its social landscape: urban councils tend to support opposition parties, while rural councils favour the ruling party. Kuje’s outcome could be decisive.
The 2026 area council elections will gauge voter mobilisation before the 2027 General Election. Parties see their FCT performance as an indicator of grassroots support.
Registration Push and Implications
INEC has decentralised registration to 62 wards to lower obstacles that previously prevented many residents from registering. This approach also responds to persistent concerns in Abuja regarding the challenges posed by remote registration centres and administrative inefficiencies that discouraged eligible voters.
This decentralisation is anticipated to increase voter registration in the FCT, particularly among youth, students, and informal sector workers who may not have the time or resources to visit remote council offices. The resulting figures from this process could play an important role in influencing the electoral landscape for February 2026.
Key Poll Challenges
Despite INEC’s efforts, Abuja has long suffered from poor turnout. Many residents, especially those in informal employment, see little link between Area Council governance and their daily lives. Overcoming apathy will be crucial.
Previous elections in the FCT were marred by late arrivals of election materials and logistical bottlenecks. With Abuja being the capital, such lapses attract intense scrutiny from observers and the media. Also, with rising insecurity in Nigeria’s North-Central region, fears about safety could affect both election preparations and voter turnout in some rural councils.
The Broader Perspective
FCT elections, though often overlooked compared to state contests, are important as they gauge the effectiveness of Nigeria’s electoral process in the capital. Credible results in Abuja build national trust, while flawed ones erode confidence across the country.
With registration commencing at the ward level, citizens now have the option to register, transfer, or update their voter information.
