(DDM) – The All Progressives Congress has rolled out a 137-member National Campaign Council to drive its strategy for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory area council elections, signaling an early and coordinated push to secure grassroots victories in Abuja.
The party released the list as preparations intensify for the polls scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, across the six area councils that make up the FCT.
The councils include Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
APC leaders say the large council reflects the party’s determination to dominate the local elections in the nation’s capital.
The party confirmed that it will formally inaugurate the campaign council before active campaigning begins.
According to an official statement, the inauguration will hold at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, at the APC National Secretariat on Blantyre Street in Abuja.
The APC placed several high-profile political figures at the top of the council.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will chair the campaign council.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma will serve as Co-Chairman I.
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala-Buni will act as Co-Chairman II.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago will take the role of Co-Chairman III.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu will serve as Secretary.
Sanasi Evelyn will function as Assistant Secretary.
The list also features heavyweight political officeholders from across Nigeria.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas both appear on the council.
Several sitting governors also joined the lineup.
They include Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Peter Mbah of Enugu, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi.
Other governors named include Inuwa Yahaya, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Abdullahi Sule, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Umar Radda, Usman Ododo, Nasir Idris, Uba Sani, Umar Namadi, and Dapo Abiodun.
Political observers say the APC intentionally assembled a broad mix of national and state figures to project strength.
They note that local council elections in the FCT often carry symbolic weight because Abuja hosts federal power.
Winning council seats in the capital can shape political narratives ahead of national contests.
Area council elections also influence control over local development priorities, markets, and community projects.
Major parties typically invest heavily in these races despite their local scope.
Analysts argue that the APC wants to avoid complacency in Abuja, where urban voters can swing unpredictably.
The FCT has a diverse population that includes civil servants, business owners, and migrants from across Nigeria.
That diversity often produces competitive results.
Some critics say large campaign councils sometimes serve more as political reward systems than operational teams.
Others believe broad inclusion helps unify party structures.
The APC has recently emphasized internal unity after periods of factional tensions in some states.
Early campaign planning may help the party prevent last-minute disputes.
Opposition parties are also expected to unveil their own structures soon.
Voters in the FCT will ultimately judge performance at the grassroots level.
For now, the APC has made a bold show of organization and reach.
The coming weeks will test whether the large council converts influence into electoral success.
