Abuja, February 23, 2026 — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) failed to secure any chairmanship seats in the just-concluded area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), triggering internal recriminations among supporters of key opposition figures.
The elections, held between February 21 and 22, saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) win three of the declared chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured one. Results from the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) showed APC candidate Christopher Maikalangu polling 40,295 votes to defeat ADC’s Paul Ogidi, who garnered 12,109 votes.
Observers described the elections as largely peaceful, though voter turnout was reported to be low in several polling units. There were also allegations of vote trading in some areas, claims that have yet to be independently verified.
The ADC’s performance has since sparked a blame game within opposition circles. Supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi alleged that loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar undermined the party’s chances in an effort to weaken Obi’s potential 2027 presidential bid. Conversely, Atiku’s supporters have argued that Obi’s camp lacks the political structure necessary to deliver electoral victories.
The tensions reflect deeper divisions within the ADC, which has been navigating internal realignments following Obi’s defection from the Labour Party in January 2026. Political analysts say the outcome of the FCT elections could influence broader coalition-building efforts ahead of the next general elections.
