INEC Finally Releases When It Will Hold FCT Council Elections
- INEC has set Saturday, 21 February 2026, as the date for council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to elect six area council chairpersons and 62 councillors
- Key pre-election activities include party primaries (9–30 June 2025), candidate nominations (21 July–11 August 2025), among others
- Unlike the states, INEC directly oversees local government elections in the FCT, reaffirming its dedication to a credible electoral process
FCT, Abuja - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Saturday, 21 February 2026, for the next council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja on Wednesday, January 22.
Source: Twitter
“The Commission has approved that the 2026 Area Council election in FCT will hold on Saturday, 21st February 2026.
"Voting will take place in all designated polling units across the 68 constituencies to elect the six area council chairmen and 62 councillor," Yakubu said.
During the meeting as stated in a statement released via X, the elections will replace the current leadership of the six area councils, whose tenure ends in February 2026, Premium Times reported.
INEC on adhering to electoral guidelines
Yakubu highlighted the legal requirements underpinning the electoral timeline, saying:
“Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires the Commission to issue the notice for elections not later than 360 days before the date of the election. This applies to general as well as off-cycle elections.”
He confirmed that the notice for the FCT elections will be published on 26 February 2025, in line with the law.
Timeline of pre-election activities
The INEC chairman detailed the schedule of activities leading to the election.
Primary elections by political parties: 9 – 30 June 2025.
Candidate nominations: Portal opens from 9 a.m. on 21 July to 6 p.m. on 11 August 2025.
Publication of the final candidate list: 22 September 2025.
Campaign period: Begins on 24 September 2025 and ends at midnight on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Yakubu emphasized that the detailed timetable and constituency list will be uploaded to the INEC website by the end of the meeting.
INEC’s unique role in the FCT
Unlike the 36 states where local government elections are conducted by state electoral commissions, INEC is directly responsible for elections in the FCT.
“This is the only part of the country where INEC conducts local government elections,” Yakubu noted.
The commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election process in the FCT.
Council commends INEC early move
Reacting to this development in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng President Yoruba Council Worldwide, Barr. Hassan Oladotun emphasized the significance of this early planning, stating,
"INEC's decision to provide a clear roadmap nearly two years ahead is a commendable step toward boosting stakeholder confidence and ensuring a well-organized election process. This level of preparation also sets a benchmark for other elections across the country."
Highlighting INEC’s unique role in conducting local government elections in the FCT, Oladotun added,
"The FCT serves as Nigeria's political and administrative hub, making these elections critical. A credible process here will resonate nationally and demonstrate INEC's capability in delivering free and fair elections."
However, he cautioned that challenges such as voter education, accurate voter register maintenance, and security must remain a priority.
Oladotun also emphasized the need for political parties to take advantage of the long lead time to engage with voters and present credible candidates, as a well-prepared electoral process is only as strong as the candidates and campaigns it supports.
INEC deletes 7,746 data of deceased voters
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed the removal of 7,746 deceased voters from the national voter register across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as of December 2022.
Victoria Etta-Messi, INEC's Director of Voter Education and Publicity, disclosed this on Thursday.
INEC emphasized that a thorough cleaning of the voter register is conducted before every general election. However, the commission acknowledged ongoing challenges in maintaining an accurate voter database.
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Source: Legit.ng
