'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially scheduled the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election for Saturday, February 21, 2026. This was disclosed by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the first quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Yakubu stated that the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councillors of the six FCT Area Councils would expire in 2026, necessitating the election. Voting will take place across the 68 constituencies to elect six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors.
Key Dates for the FCT election
In line with the Electoral Act 2022, INEC will publish the official notice for the election on February 26, 2025. Other key dates include: Party primaries will hold on June 9 to June 30, 2025. The candidate nomination portal will open from July 21 to August 11, 2025 .
Final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025 while campaigns will commence on September 24, 2025 till midnight of February 19, 2026.
Prof. Yakubu emphasized the Commission’s commitment to ensuring transparent, credible, and inclusive elections. He revealed that hard copies of the detailed timetable, schedule of activities, and constituency details had been distributed to political parties and were also available on the Commission's website.
Preparations for other elections
The INEC Chairman also reiterated the Commission’s readiness for other electoral activities, including the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election scheduled for November 8. He urged political parties to submit their schedules for primaries and campaigns to ensure seamless monitoring and avoid last-minute rushes.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted plans for the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and the conduct of bye-elections to fill existing vacancies in 14 constituencies.
Strengthening electoral integrity
During the meeting, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, commended INEC’s efforts in sustaining electoral integrity and called for collective support from stakeholders. He stressed the need to rebuild trust in the electoral process to address low voter turnout and ensure credible elections.
IPAC also called on the National Assembly to expedite the amendment of the Constitution and Electoral Act to address emerging challenges, including the high cost and complexity of conducting bye-elections.
A collective responsibility
The meeting provided an opportunity for INEC and political parties to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process. Prof. Yakubu urged stakeholders to collaborate in fostering electoral reforms and ensuring that elections meet the expectations of Nigerians.
As the Commission prepares for the 2026 FCT Area Council election, it has reassured citizens of its dedication to delivering free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people.
