The chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Eze Onyebuchi, has officially conceded the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) election to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This announcement follows the conclusion of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls held on February 21, 2026.
Despite raising early alarms regarding voter intimidation and logistical inconsistencies during the voting process, Onyebuchi confirmed he will not seek legal redress. He noted that the decision was made to ensure the administrative continuity of the nation's capital and to avoid a protracted legal battle that could stifle local governance.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the APC candidate, Christopher Zakka "Maikalangu", the winner of the AMAC seat. Maikalangu, the incumbent, secured a substantial lead across various wards, reinforcing the APC's dominant performance across five of the six area councils in the FCT.
"For the sake of the residents and the progress of our capital, we move forward," Onyebuchi stated in an address following the release of the final results. He added that while there were documented challenges at various polling units, the "stability of our democracy" outweighed his personal political ambitions.
The 2026 FCT elections were marked by a heavy deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and significant security measures. While some urban areas like Bwari and AMAC reported lower voter turnout, the process was largely described as a litmus test for grassroots democracy in Nigeria.
The APC's victory in AMAC is part of a broader sweep where the party retained control of Gwagwalada, Bwari, Abaji, and Kwali. APGA and other opposition parties had mounted vigorous campaigns, but the final tally showed a clear preference for the ruling party’s candidates in the majority of the councils.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, Aminu Kasimu Idris, noted that the collation process for the remaining councils, including Kuje, progressed steadily to ensure transparency.