Seventy-four candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party are facing potential disqualification in the upcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections due to unresolved leadership crises within the party. The Labour Party, meanwhile, has been excluded from the polls after failing to present any candidates on the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The FCT Area Council elections, scheduled for February 21, 2026, will feature 68 elective positions, including six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions across six area councils. Although the PDP submitted a full slate of 74 candidates, the legitimacy of these nominations is under threat due to the party’s internal conflicts.

The Labour Party’s exclusion stems from a protracted leadership tussle between two factions, which has prevented the party from uploading its candidates. The Independent National Electoral Commission has refused to recognize the party’s national convention, citing the expiration of the current leadership’s tenure. Despite a court order directing INEC to issue access codes, the commission has maintained that it only deals with recognized leaders, effectively shutting out the Labour Party.

Within the PDP, a leadership battle has erupted between two factions, each claiming control of the party’s structure. The conflict has led to multiple suspensions and lawsuits, with legal experts warning that the nominations made under the disputed leadership could be nullified if the courts rule in favor of one faction. A similar scenario occurred in 2019, when the Supreme Court voided the votes of the APC in Zamfara State and the PDP in Rivers State due to irregularities in their nomination processes.

The potential exclusion of opposition parties could lead to voter apathy and a lopsided contest, according to the Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, Auwal Rafsanjani. He emphasized the importance of resolving internal party crises to ensure a fair and competitive election. With the elections approaching, the fate of the PDP candidates and the Labour Party’s participation remains uncertain, highlighting the need for political parties to resolve their internal conflicts and adhere to electoral regulations.