The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Umar Abdullahi Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the chairmanship election for Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the results announced by INEC Presiding Officer Muhammad Usman, Abubakar polled a total of 15,535 votes, comfortably defeating his closest challenger from the Young Progressives Party (YPP), who received 5,357 votes.
Other notable results included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate with approximately 4,547 votes in related reporting, underscoring the strong mandate given to the APC candidate.
The declaration was made following the collation of results from the election conducted on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across the FCT's six area councils.
INEC officials confirmed that Abubakar met all legal requirements, stating: “Umar Abdullahi Abubakar of APC, having satisfied the requirement by the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
This victory reinforces the APC's strong performance in the FCT polls, where the party has claimed multiple chairmanship seats amid a largely peaceful electoral process. The Abaji result highlights the confidence of voters in the APC's agenda for grassroots development, improved infrastructure, security, and enhanced local governance in the area council.
Umar Abdullahi Abubakar expressed gratitude to the people of Abaji for their overwhelming support and trust. “I am deeply humbled by this mandate. This victory belongs to the resilient people of Abaji who have spoken clearly for progress, unity, and accountable leadership.
I pledge to work tirelessly to deliver on our promises, foster inclusive development, and ensure that every community in Abaji benefits from good governance,” he said.
The APC leadership in the FCT commended the electorate for their participation and INEC for conducting a credible exercise. The party reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the new chairman to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda at the local level.
Abaji Area Council residents now look forward to the inauguration and the commencement of focused leadership aimed at addressing key priorities such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure.