By Joy Odor
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has announced that the Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will hold on Saturday February 21, 2026 while Party primaries will be held from 9th – 30th June 2025.
Prof Yakubu disclosed this on Wednesday at the 1st Regular Consultative Meeting with the leadership of the registered political parties in Nigeria under the umbrella of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
He informed that voting will take place in all the designated Polling Units across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors.
INEC Chairman affirmed that in compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election will be published next month 26th February 2025.
He said the candidate nomination portal will open from 9.00am on 21st July 2025 to 6.00pm on 11th August 2025 and the final list of candidates will be published on 22nd September 2025.
According to him, campaign in public by political parties will commence on 24th September 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 19th February 2026.
Prof Yakubu mentioned that the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election as well as the list of constituencies and type of elections in the FCT will be uploaded to our website before the end of this meeting.
“You may recall that last year began and ended with a number of elections. Overall, the Commission conducted 51 re-run elections, bye-elections and off-cycle elections in 2024.
“In February, the Commission conducted re-run elections in 39 constituencies combined with nine bye-elections arising from vacancies in the national and State Assemblies nationwide.
“We also conducted two Governorship elections, the last one held in November 2024 in Ondo State.
“Hardcopies of the two documents have been included in your folders for this meeting. For your guidance, we are also including the hardcopies of the Regulation and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 in your folders while the soft copy is already available from our website www.inecnigeria.org
“In due course, the Commission will come up with plans for other routine activities such as the resumption of nationwide Continuous Voter registration (CVR) and the conduct of outstanding bye-elections.
“Over the last one and a half years since the inauguration of the current National and State Assemblies in June 2023, vacancies have occurred in 23 constituencies as a result of death of serving members or their voluntary resignation for executive positions at Federal, State and even Local Government levels as Ministers, Commissioners, Chairman of a Local Government and even board appointment. While the Commission conducted nine bye-elections early last year, 14 more vacancies have occurred since then.
“Over the last nine years since 2016, the present Commission has been advocating for a more cost-effective alternative means of filling vacancies as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world.
“We have similarly been appealing to stakeholders, including political parties, to join the advocacy and for the National Assembly to amend the law accordingly.
“Just three weeks ago, we canvassed this position once again during the defence of our 2025 budget before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives at the National Assembly.
“We are glad that more Nigerians are now joining the advocacy. We hope that working together, we will continue to reform and improve on our electoral process” he said.
Responding, the National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle lamented over low voter turnout in previous elections is worrisome and a sad commentary in the democratic process.
According to him, the narrative must change but must continue to work together in ensuring electoral integrity, the sanctity of the ballot box and the mandate of the people.
“Therefore, IPAC urges stakeholders to support the Commission in discharging its statutory duties essential in consolidating and strengthening our constitutional governance.
“Similarly, Council urges the National Assembly to expedite action in the on-going Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments, as time is of the essence; as well as ensure diligent and speedy consideration and passage of the 2025 appropriation bill.
“We also urge citizens to be alive to their civic responsibilities and ensure that those they voted into office should give genuine account of their stewardship. Their performance will determine their fate in future elections.
“Expectations of Nigerians are becoming higher. Governments at all levels should articulate and implement people-focused programmes and projects that will assuage their sufferings and foster economic growth, political stability, social justice, religious harmony, and national security and unity.
“As leaders of political parties, we are committed to making our democracy work for the benefit of the people on whom sovereignty resides. Nation building is a collective responsibility, we should therefore set aside partisan politics, victimization of political opponents and marginalization of fellow citizens.
“Though our democracy is not where it should be, 26 years of uninterrupted representative governance in May 2025; 65 years of Independence in October; and 102 years of the evolution of political parties in Nigeria are testaments of our resilience, patriotism and democratic zeal.
“Council urges INEC not to recognise the outcome of the so-called convention staged in flagrant violation of the NRM constitution or any other party in which such a clear violation exists.
“Political Parties belongs to all Nigerians and every Nigerian is at liberty to join any political party of his choice. However, it has to be in line with the party’s constitution. But to join a party with the sole aim of becoming its national chairman contrary to its constitution is unjust and repugnant to good conscience, and should be condemned by all lovers of democratic governance.
“The Judiciary ought to be the last hope of all aggrieved people. As the temple of justice, it is expected to dispense justice without fear or favour. Sadly, some judicial officers have turned the court to a bazaar. We call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to wield the big stick on corrupt Justices especially the ones that meddle in the internal affairs of political parties to serve as a deterrent to others.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will always intervene in national issues in the quest for a strong, united, stable, progressive, equitable and just democratic nation” he stressed.
