INEC publishes candidates' final list for FCT area council poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

According to a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC’s list follows the conclusion of party primaries and the window for withdrawal or substitution of candidates.

Seventeen political parties had uploaded the particulars of their nominated candidates using Form EC9 by the deadline of August 11, 2025. The particulars were subsequently published on August 18, 2025, to allow for public scrutiny.

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“The full list of candidates by party, age, gender and academic qualifications has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” the statement read.

INEC stressed that with the publication of the final list, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates would be allowed, except in the event of death of a candidate or running mate before election day, in line with Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.

The FCT Area Council elections will decide leadership across the six area councils of Abuja.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.