APC’s Resurgence in Abuja: A Political Thermometer for 2027
by Okoi Obono-Obla
The resounding victory scored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election of the leadership of the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on 20 February 2026, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marks a significant political development. This outcome is particularly striking given that the APC lost Abuja in the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections to Labour Party candidates. That defeat became a major plank in the petition filed by Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who challenged the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
Obi argued that Tinubu’s failure to secure Abuja was a critical shortcoming, despite winning 24 states of the federation. However, the Supreme Court, in its ruling on Obi’s appeal, clarified that Abuja is constitutionally regarded as a “State” within the meaning of Section 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides: “There shall be thirty-six States in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.” This interpretation settled the long-debated question of Abuja’s constitutional status in presidential election requirements.
Leading up to the 2026 area council elections, pundits predicted a possible upset. The opposition mounted spirited campaigns, and the revamped African Democratic Congress (ADC)—touted as a coalition party—was expected to make inroads. Yet, despite the hype, the opposition floundered disastrously, winning only one council out of six. The ADC again failed to find its footing, while the Labour Party, once buoyed by its 2023 successes, was nowhere to be found, weakened by internal strife and fragmentation that followed the general elections.
The six area councils of the FCT are:
– Abaji
– Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)
– Bwari
– Gwagwalada
– Kuje
– Kwali
Although some may dismiss the Abuja area council elections as merely local, they serve as a political thermometer for the nation. The APC’s sweeping victory suggests a consolidation of strength ahead of the 2027 general elections. For the opposition, the results are a sobering reminder of the urgent need for unity, strategic recalibration, and grassroots mobilization if they are to mount a credible challenge.
Conclusion-
The APC’s resurgence in Abuja underscores its ability to rebound in a territory where it previously faltered. For the Labour Party and ADC, the lesson is clear: without cohesion and strategic clarity, their chances in 2027 remain slim. Yet, politics is fluid—fortunes can shift in moments, and the next year will prove decisive in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
By Okoi Obono-Obla
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