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The Digest:

Ahead of Saturday's FCT Area Council elections, INEC will conduct polls across 2,822 polling units in 62 wards of Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. Only three women are contesting chairmanship: Anumnu Abigail (AA, Abaji), Richard Elizabeth (ADP, AMAC), and Aju Ukwa (ZLP, Kuje). Key candidates include:

ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL (AMAC)

  • Christopher Maikalangu (APC): Incumbent chairman elected on PDP in 2022, defected to APC. Benefited from PDP candidate Zadna Dantani's withdrawal hours before the poll.
  • Moses Ogidi (ADC): "Dr. Mo," convener of Free Nigeria Movement, community activist focused on accountability.
ABAJI
  • Umar Abdullahi (APC): Incumbent chairman, business background, campaigning on continuity.
  • Sokodabo Bilyaminu (PDP): Grassroots organiser, farmer cooperative leader, focused on rural infrastructure.
  • Mohammed Ibrahim (ADC): Active grassroots campaigner backed by Peter Obi.
BWARI

  • Joshua Ishaku (APC): Declared lawful candidate by Supreme Court five days to election after legal battle. Only major contender after PDP's Julius Adamu withdrew following Wike's intervention.
GWAGWALADA

  • Yahaya Shehu (APC): Community leader, party organiser, emphasising continuity.
  • Mohammed Kasim (PDP): Focuses on community welfare, women's empowerment, and healthcare.
KUJE

  • Zakwoyi Danlami (PDP): Unanimous PDP nominee, emphasises inclusive governance, women's role in development.
  • Danluma Shekwolo (APC): Party stalwart focused on fiscal discipline, infrastructure.
KWALI

  • Haruna Pai (PDP): Farming cooperative leader focused on rural development and water access.
  • Daniel Nuhu (APC): Previous council candidate, pledges agro-processing partnerships.

FCT voters head to the polls Saturday with incumbency, party machinery, and grassroots credibility set to decide control of the capital's six area councils.

Sources: Premium Times, INEC