The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mohammed Kasim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election held on Saturday February 21, 2026, authorities say.

INEC’s Returning Officer for Gwagwalada, Professor Philip Akpeni, announced the results in the early hours of Sunday in Gwagwalada town, revealing that Kasim secured 22,165 votes, ahead of his main rival from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yahaya Shehu, who polled 17,788 votes. Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) came third with 1,687 votes, according to the official declaration.

Speaking as he declared Kasim the winner, Akpeni said that the PDP candidate had satisfied all legal requirements to be named chairman-elect, adding that the poll in the council was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner across the 10 wards of the council.

The bye-election was part of the FCT Area Council polls organised by INEC across all six council areas of the territory to elect chairmen and councillors. Voters in Gwagwalada turned out to cast their ballots alongside electors in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji.

Supporters of the PDP jubilated after the announcement, describing the victory as a sign of confidence in Kasim’s leadership and grassroots agenda. The candidate’s campaign had emphasised community development, improved healthcare, women’s empowerment and better education opportunities for residents.

With the Gwagwalada chairmanship now settled, attention has shifted to other area councils where INEC is still collating results and preparing to announce additional winners.