FCT Council Election: Live updates, situation reports, results of AMAC poll

AMAC POLL — SITUATION REPORT (LIVE UPDATE)

Voting is underway across the Federal Capital Territory as residents of the six Area Councils head to the polls in what observers describe as a critical grassroots election shaping local governance in Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting the exercise across 2,822 polling units in 62 wards covering Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

AMAC — KEY BATTLEGROUND

Attention remains fixed on the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), regarded as the most competitive race due to its urban population and political influence.

Incumbent Chairman Christopher Maikalangu (APC) enters the contest with incumbency advantage following the withdrawal of PDP candidate Zadna Dantani less than 48 hours before the poll.

Challenging him is Dr Moses Paul “Dr Mo” (ADC), a civil society advocate campaigning on accountability, youth empowerment and improved civic services.

GROUND SITUATION

Early reports indicate moderate voter turnout in urban estates and market communities.

Security personnel deployed across polling centres.

Voters in several wards expressed limited awareness of candidates prior to election day.

WHAT IS AT STAKE

Unlike states with governors and assemblies, Area Councils remain the closest elected authority to FCT residents, directly responsible for schools, sanitation, healthcare centres, markets and local roads.

10:50 a.m

PU: 039

Phase III JSS IV

Staff Quarters

Gwagwalada Area Council

Low voter turnout.

The few voters on the ground are scrambling to locate their names. A woman said the voting process was seamless, but she’s trying to help her husband locate his name.

Few security operatives are on the ground

10:48 a.m.

PU 025

Sheda Sarki II, Ungwan Ganagana

Kilankwa Ward

LEA Primary School

Kwali Area Council

Electoral officers were idle at the time of observation, with no visible voting activity. Officials said the process was proceeding smoothly but that voter turnout was low. They added that only six people had voted so far.

10:14 a.m

AMAC, Garki.

PU: 035, Enugu/Naukka Street.

#FCTDecides2026

Voting has since commenced. The presiding officers said there are 96 registered voters at this polling unit, but that only 20 have voted so far. 

The officials noted that the BVAS machine’s fingerprint spot has been malfunctioning, but they are using facial recognition to identify voters in such cases.

The contest is expected to test the strength of incumbency against grassroots mobilisation as results begin to trickle in.

10:07 am: Voting is ongoing in all 15 polling units in the Bwari Central Primary School.

09: 51 am: Electoral officers and voting materials have arrived at the

LEA Primary School, Sagwari, in the Bwari area council.

This voting area has 8 polling units. INEC officials here are still setting up their voting cubicles, before accreditation and voting will commence

There is a sizeable presence of security personnel, comprising the police, NSCDC officials, and the national drug law enforcement agency, at this centre

9:21 am: The election has already commenced in some areas.

8:12 am: Polling units located in the school are already setting up.

INEC officials and voting materials at polling units for the FCT council elections

8:12 am: Polling units located in the school are already setting up.

Voting is currently underway across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as residents head to the polls to elect chairmen and councillors in the 2026 Area Council elections.

The exercise is taking place in all six area councils — AMAC, Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Bwari, and Abaji — under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC had earlier announced that more than 1.5 million registered voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the election. The commission also projected that over two million voters are expected to participate in the process.

To ensure a peaceful exercise, security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies, have deployed personnel across strategic locations in the territory. Authorities also imposed a 12-hour restriction on movement to maintain order and safeguard the integrity of the poll.

Early Situation Report from Polling Units

Bwari – Peyi Polling Unit (Subert International School)

INEC officials arrived at approximately 7:55am and immediately commenced the setup of election materials. Security personnel were observed on ground maintaining order.

AMAC – Lifecamp Primary School (Registration Area Centre), 8:11am

A noticeable security presence was recorded at the RAC. However, some presiding officers indicated they were still awaiting security escorts before proceeding to their assigned polling units.

Garki Ward – Polling Unit 087, 8:40am

Accreditation and voting officially began at 8:40am. As of the time of reporting, three voters had successfully cast their ballots while officials awaited a larger turnout.

Ward 1, City Centre (Area 2 Park and Garden) – Polling Unit 005, 8:58am

Accreditation and voting were ongoing, with security operatives closely monitoring activities to ensure compliance with electoral guidelines.

Across the FCT, polling units opened with early deployment of materials and personnel, marking the formal commencement of the 2026 Area Council elections.

More updates will follow as the situation develops.

8:09 am: The last vehicle carrying voting materials left the Registration Area Centre (RAC).