The All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have declared full preparedness for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, as political activities intensify across Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed the council polls for February 21, 2026, a contest widely regarded as an early test ahead of the 2027 general elections. In preparation, the electoral body on Saturday conducted a mock accreditation and voting exercise across the FCT to test logistics and voter accreditation procedures.

The APC has stepped up its campaign efforts with the inauguration of its campaign council, which includes several governors and senior party figures. Speaking on the party’s preparedness, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the ruling party was confident of victory, citing governance records and development in the FCT since 2015.

“Our party is fully prepared and has already hit the ground running in preparation for the upcoming election,” Ibrahim said. He added that party structures had been mobilised “from the grassroots upwards,” arguing that infrastructure development under President Bola Tinubu had positioned the APC strongly. According to him, “with improved infrastructure and tangible democratic dividends delivered to the people, it is clear why voters are expected to support the APC.”

The African Democratic Congress also expressed optimism, despite earlier calls for a postponement of the polls due to Ramadan. ADC Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said INEC had declined the request, explaining that the election date was constitutionally fixed.

“INEC replied to our earlier appeal for postponement… that it’s a constitutional requirement,” Abdullahi said. “So the election will go ahead. We are prepared… and we are very confident of victory in the elections.” He added that the party had no reason to doubt INEC’s ability to conduct credible council polls.

The Peoples Democratic Party likewise said it was fully mobilised. Its Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, noted that PDP candidates were already campaigning across the territory and dismissed concerns over recent defections.

“Regarding the FCT council elections, the candidates are already campaigning,” Ememobong said. “The party is very serious about the election… Remember, FCT is PDP’s territory, and the defection won’t stop our victory.”

With less than three weeks to the February 21 vote, campaigns are expected to intensify across the six area councils, as the three major parties position themselves for an election seen as politically significant ahead of the 2027 general elections.