Seventy‑four candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) face possible disqualification in the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections because of unresolved leadership crises within the party. Although the PDP submitted a full slate of 74 nominees, the legitimacy of these nominations is under threat as two factions vie for control of the party’s structure. The conflict has already led to multiple suspensions and lawsuits, and legal experts warn that the nominations made under the disputed leadership could be nullified if the courts rule in favor of one faction. A similar situation 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 Labour Party has been excluded from the polls after failing to present any candidates on the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party’s exclusion stems from a protracted leadership tussle between two factions, which prevented it from uploading its candidates. INEC has refused to recognize the party’s national convention, citing the expiration of the current leadership’s tenure. Although a court order directed INEC to issue access codes, the commission maintains that it will only deal with recognized leaders, effectively shutting the Labour Party out of the election.
The FCT Area Council elections, scheduled for 21 February 2026, will feature 68 elective positions: six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions across six area councils. The potential exclusion of opposition parties could lead to voter apathy and a lopsided contest, according to Auwal Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group. 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 urgent need for political parties to settle internal conflicts and adhere to electoral regulations.
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