By Godfrey Akon
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced February 21, 2026, as the date for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during the First Regular Consultative Meeting with political parties at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Yakubu noted that the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors, extended by a year following amendments to the Electoral Act, will end in 2026.
He added that, “By the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors ends next year.
“Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2026 Area Council election in FCT will hold on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
“Voting will take place in all designated polling units across the 68 constituencies to elect six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.
“To comply with legal requirements, INEC will publish the official election notice on February 26, 2025. Party primaries will take place from June 9 to June 30, 2025, while the nomination portal will be open from July 21 to August 11, 2025.
“The final list of candidates will be released on September 22, 2025, and campaigns will begin on September 24, 2025, ending at midnight on February 19, 2026.
“The election timetable and detailed schedule of activities will be uploaded to the INEC website and distributed to stakeholders.”
Reflecting on INEC’s activities in 2024, Prof. Yakubu highlighted that INEC conducted 51 re-run, bye-elections, and off-cycle elections in 2024.
He noted significant activities, including the re-run elections in 39 constituencies and two gubernatorial elections, the most recent being in Ondo State in November 2024.
On the upcoming Anambra State Governorship election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, Yakubu confirmed that the notice of election was published over two months ago.
He reminded political parties that primaries to nominate candidates will be conducted from March 20 to April 10, 2025.
Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, emphasized the need for credible elections to sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
He urged political parties to prepare thoroughly for the Anambra election and plan ahead for the 2027 general election.
Dantalle pointed out that May 29, 2025, marks the mid-term for public officials elected in the 2023 general elections, providing an opportunity to evaluate their performance.
He also stressed that INEC must begin preparations for the 2027 general elections immediately, activating its Election Project Plan, EPP, Strategic Programme of Action, SPA, and 2022–2026 Strategic Plan.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. Nigerians rely on INEC to deliver transparent elections that will usher in visionary leaders capable of transforming the nation,” Dantalle stated.
