Ahead of the 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Bitrus Jisalo, has called for unity among members and leaders of the All Progressives Congress to ensure the party regains control of the territory.
The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Maryam Mahmoud Bankure, also urged the party leadership in the territory to reach out to aggrieved members within the Area Councils as part of efforts to secure victory in the upcoming elections.
The two leaders made these remarks during a crucial unity stakeholders meeting held on Monday in Abuja with APC ward, local government, and state executive officers in attendance.
Jisalo emphasized that the party has the necessary resources to reclaim the FCT during the Area Council elections. However, he stressed the importance of party unity to ensure success. He directed the Hon. Abdulmalik Usman-led FCT State Executive Committee to engage with aggrieved members and work towards resolving any issues to foster reconciliation within the party.
As the leader of the party in the FCT, Jisalo assured all aspirants that they would have a fair chance during the party’s shadow election, but highlighted that hard work and unity are essential for victory. “It is not enough for us to have what it takes to win, we must be ready to work hard and ensure we work as a united front in the forthcoming Area Council elections and the 2027 general elections,” he stated. He also expressed confidence in winning all 62 wards and the 6 area councils in the FCT and promised a strategic approach after the party primaries.
Dr. Bankure also called for cohesion among party members and advised the leadership to effectively engage women and youth in the preparations for the council elections. She emphasized that past mistakes and misunderstandings should not be allowed to divide the party further.
The APC Zonal Secretary for North Central, Hon. Yakubu Adamu, informed the meeting that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had directed the establishment of various committees to ensure effective coordination ahead of the 2026 Area Council elections. He also promised a level playing field for all aspirants and instructed the formation of reconciliation, election, financial, and security committees at all party levels.
Adamu concluded by urging party members in the territory to embrace peace and unity, stressing the importance of ensuring APC’s victory in the upcoming elections. “Now that we have authentic party leaders from the ward to local government and state levels in the FCT, we must all march out and ensure victory for our party during the next Area Council elections in 2026 and the general elections in 2027,” he said.
The meeting was attended by APC leaders from all 62 wards of the FCT, alongside state executive officers.
