PDP heads to tribunal over FCT council polls, inaugurates legal team, as APC dominates 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unveiled a special legal team to challenge the outcome of the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alleging widespread irregularities and voter intimidation.

The opposition party announced the move on Sunday, even as it congratulated its candidates who were declared winners in parts of the polls.

The elections were conducted across the six FCT area councils – Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

According to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the chairmanship seats in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC and Bwari, while the PDP clinched victory in Gwagwalada Area Council.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP congratulated the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, as well as councillorship candidates declared successful by INEC.

The party described the Gwagwalada victory as significant, stating that it came despite what it termed “unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics and brazen executive brigandage.”

While acknowledging that its overall performance fell short of expectations, the PDP alleged that the elections were marred by acts capable of undermining the credibility of the process.

The statement claimed there were reports and video evidence showing instances where armed security personnel allegedly removed result sheets from polling units, intimidated voters and influenced outcomes in certain areas.

In response, the party constituted a legal team headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq., to handle petitions arising from the elections.

The PDP urged its candidates with grievances to immediately contact the legal adviser, stressing that election petitions are time-bound and any delay could weaken their cases.

The party also linked what it described as low voter turnout during the polls to public dissatisfaction with the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that many Nigerians have lost confidence in elections conducted under the current legal framework.

According to the statement, the FCT council polls may serve as an early indicator of potential challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections if urgent reforms are not undertaken.

The PDP therefore called on the National Assembly and the President to take swift steps to address perceived gaps in the electoral process and safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing legal remedies and defending what it described as the will of the people through constitutional means.