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

According to INEC, the list comprises candidates from 17 political parties who successfully submitted their nomination forms before the August 11, 2025 deadline.

The list, which includes details such as candidates’ names, political parties, ages, gender, and academic qualifications, has been uploaded to the commission’s official website and social media platforms for public access.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the publication officially closes the nomination process, except in situations where the law permits replacement.

“With this publication, no further withdrawal or replacement of candidates will be allowed except in the event of the death of a candidate or running mate before Election Day, as provided by Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act,” Olumekun stated.

The release of the final list follows the earlier display of candidates’ personal particulars on August 18, 2025, as required by law, after party primaries.

In total, 637 candidates will contest for 68 seats in the election, including six chairmanship and 62 councillorship positions across the six area councils of Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) is missing from the list of political parties fielding candidates in the February 2026 Abuja Area Council elections. Although a faction of the party led by former National Chairman Julius Abure met the commission’s August 11 deadline, INEC, in a sworn affidavit before the Abuja High Court, maintained that the party currently has no recognised leadership capable of conducting valid primaries. Abure’s group has since protested at INEC’s headquarters, demanding the inclusion of its nominated candidates.

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