BREAKING: PDP candidate, Mohammed Kasim wins Gwagwalada Chairmanship Election in FCT

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Kasim, has emerged victorious in the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election, held as part of the Federal Capital Territory’s local government polls on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Announcing the results in the early hours of Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, said Kasim secured 22,165 votes, defeating his closest rival, Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 17,788 votes.

Akpen described the exercise as peaceful and smoothly conducted. He declared:

“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council Gwagwalada chairmanship election held on February 21, 2026. Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of lawful votes cast, Mohammed Kasim of PDP is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

Coming third was Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with 1,687 votes.

Gwagwalada Chairmanship Election Details

Registered voters: 207,577

Accredited voters: 46,294

Total valid votes: 43,960

Rejected votes: 1,521

Breakdown by Party:

Accord (A): 151

Action Alliance (AA): 116

African Democratic Congress (ADC): 1,366

Action Democratic Party (ADP): 128

All Progressives Congress (APC): 17,788

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA): 1,687

Allied Peoples Movement (APM): 24

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP): 175

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): 22,165

Social Democratic Party (SDP): 432

Young Progressives Party (YPP): 158

The local government elections were conducted across all six Area Councils of the FCT — Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali — covering both chairmanship and councillorship positions.

The smooth conclusion of the polls in Gwagwalada signals a strong voter engagement in the council’s political process and a clear mandate for the newly elected chairman.