Abuja, February 23, 2026 — Incumbent Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been re-elected following the February 21 area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Maikalangu secured 40,295 votes to defeat 15 other candidates in the contest. The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Paul Ogidi, placed second with 12,109 votes.
Supporters of the APC described the outcome as a decisive victory, praising what they characterized as a transparent electoral process. However, the election has also attracted criticism from some quarters.
Videos circulating online alleged instances of vote buying, with claims that cash inducements ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦30,000 were offered to voters. In addition, images of result sheets showing handwritten alterations have been shared on social media, with critics suggesting that the changes inflated APC vote totals.
INEC reported that more than 96 percent of polling unit results were uploaded to its results viewing portal. While some observers noted low voter turnout and raised concerns about alleged vote trading, the elections were generally described as peaceful.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC has not issued an official response specifically addressing the allegations of irregularities. Civil society organizations and political stakeholders have called for transparency and thorough review of any credible complaints to safeguard public confidence in the electoral process.
