- Elections hold Saturday, February 21, 2026
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Political parties participating in the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections have been given the nod to publicly flag-off their electioneering campaigns.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the parties are now at liberty to start campaigns beginning from Wednesday, September 25, 2025.
However, they have until the midnight of Thursday, February 19, 2026 to do the needful before the Councils’ poll comes alive two days later on Saturday, February 21, 2025.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, all participating political parties were reminded that it is unlawful for their candidates and supporters to deploy abusive language, or carry out physical attacks on opponents during rallies, processions and meetings or destroy their campaign materials.
Olumekun also said all parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaign, outdoor advertising as well as public rallies and meetings.
He further explained that Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate.
The Electoral umpire’s statement read thus, “In line with the provision of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and item 8 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, Political Parties participating in the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election are now at liberty to start their electioneering campaigns in public from Wednesday 24th September 2025 and end at midnight on Thursday 19th February 2026.
“As enshrined in Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission wishes to remind Political Parties, candidates and their supporters that it is unlawful to use abusive language, carry out physical attacks on opponents during rallies, processions and meetings or destroy their campaign materials.
“Similarly, all parties and candidates must be given unimpeded access to public facilities for media campaign, outdoor advertising as well as public rallies and meetings.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any party or candidate”.
