The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council election last Saturday had inherent controversies, suspicions and distrust. The electoral process, however, ended in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, indicated the APC had victory in five of the six chairmanship contests, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, victorious in one area council.

The APC was declared winner in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje Area Councils, leaving Gwagwalada for the PDP.

In Kuje, there was initial controversy after the PDP accused INEC of delaying results from two wards. The PDP warned that the situation could undermine the credibility of the election.

The opposition party had alleged that the delay raised fears of possible manipulation, particularly, because of, what it described as, its narrow lead in the affected areas.

INEC undermined the complaints, and proceeded to declare the APC candidate, Danjuma Shekwolo, winner of the Kuje chairmanship election, with 17,269 votes.

In Gwagwalada Area Council, INEC declared the PDP candidate, Mohammed Kasim, winner with, 22,165 votes, defeating Yahaya Shehu of the APC, who had 17,788 votes.

Returning Officer Philip Akpen, while announcing the result, declared: Kasim, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.

The breakdown of votes in Gwagwalada showed PDP with 22,165 votes, APC with 17,788, APGA with 1,687, and ADC with 1,366.

In Bwari Area Council, INEC declared APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku, winner, with 18,466 votes.

Returning Officer Mohammed Nurudeen announced that Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, has been declared the winner and returned elected. INEC figures showed ADC scored 4,254 votes while ZLP polled 3,515.

The APC was also declared winner in Abuja Municipal Area Council, where incumbent chairman Christopher Maikalangu, was re-elected with 40,295 votes.

AMAC Collation Officer, Andrew Abue, declared Maikalangu winner, stating that he had “satisfied the requirements of the law” and was returned elected.

ADC had 12,109 votes; PDP 3,398, SDP 2,185 and NNPP 1,694.

In Abaji Area Council, INEC declared APC candidate, Umar Abdullahi Abubakar, winner OF the chairmanship election with 15,536 votes; defeating the PDP which scored 4,547 votes, while ADC polled 37 votes.

In Kwali Area Council, APC candidate, Nuhu Daniel, was victorious, polling 17,032 votes to defeat PDP’s Haruna Pai, who garnered 8,575 votes.