The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mohammed Kasim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election held on February 21, 2026.
The Returning Officer for the Gwagwalada chairmanship election, Prof. Philip Akpeni, announced the result in the early hours of Sunday, confirming Kasim’s victory after collation of votes across the council.
Announcing the outcome at the collation centre in Gwagwalada, Akpeni disclosed that Kasim secured a total of 22,165 votes to emerge victorious in the closely contested poll.
“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on February 21, 2026,” he stated.
“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
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According to the official results released by INEC, Yahaya Usman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 17,788 votes, while Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) finished third with 1,687 votes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chairmanship election was conducted across the 10 wards of the Gwagwalada Area Council, namely: Paiko, Dobi, Gwako, Ibwa, Staff Quarters, Zuba, Ikwa, Kutunku, Gwagwalada Centre and Tunga Maje.
INEC officials stated that the election was conducted in line with electoral guidelines, with results collated from all polling units within the wards before the final declaration.
The victory marks a significant political gain for the PDP in the Federal Capital Territory’s area council elections, as stakeholders await reactions from other parties and further developments in the broader FCT electoral landscape.