By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on their victories in Saturday’s area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and legislative by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the outcome as a testament to the confidence voters have in the APC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections for chairmanship and councillorship positions across all six area councils of the FCT: Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji. Concurrently, by-elections were held for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo state constituencies in Kano State, as well as the Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies in Rivers State.
According to results declared by INEC, the APC secured victories in four of the six FCT area councils—Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched a win in Gwagwalada. In the legislative by-elections, the APC won both contested seats in Rivers State.
President Tinubu urged the newly elected officials to view their mandates as a “sacred trust” and to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication.
The President also extended specific commendation to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. He praised Wike’s “remarkable achievements in the territory,” which he noted have translated into political dividends for the governing APC in the council polls.
Tinubu further congratulated the national leadership of the APC, along with the party’s leadership in Kano and Rivers, for their organisational efforts leading to the victories.
The President lauded INEC, security agencies, and voters for ensuring the elections were conducted peacefully and successfully. He acknowledged the courage and discipline displayed by all contestants, stating that democracy is strengthened by vibrant participation and healthy competition.
“President Tinubu affirms that the successful conduct of the elections further strengthens democratic culture and institutions,” the statement read, “and calls on INEC to continue improving its efforts to deliver even more exemplary electoral processes.”
Despite the APC’s success, reports indicated a generally low voter turnout across the polling units. Additionally, opposition parties raised allegations of irregular conduct during the process. In response, the PDP has since inaugurated a special legal team to handle any petitions arising from the FCT Area Council elections.
