The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, has said the commission had named 17 candidates for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
He explained that 17 political parties presented their candidates, and the final list included their respective political platforms, ages, genders, and academic qualifications.
Olumekun noted that INEC published the list after the legal period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates had closed.
It was emphasized that no party could withdraw or replace a candidate again, except in the unfortunate event of the death of a candidate or running mate before election day, as stated in Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act.
He recalled that all parties submitted their candidates’ details by 6 p.m. on Monday, August 11, while INEC had earlier displayed the particulars of those who emerged from party primaries on August 18.
He added that the final publication came ahead of the elections scheduled for Saturday, February 12, 2026.
Olumekun said he issued the announcement in Abuja and stressed that the elections would hold across the Area Councils within the FCT.
He further explained that INEC released the names through an official statement and uploaded the full list to its website and social media platforms for public information and scrutiny.