Inec closed the door to the change in candidates for the selection of the 2026 FCT Council

With only months before the 2026 Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Region (FCT), the Independent National Election Commission (Inec) has issued a company declaration: There is no withdrawal or replacement of permitted candidates – excluded in death cases.

Announcement, who followed the publication of the final candidate list, appeared in the middle of the installation of political maneuvers by parties before the February 21 2026 elections. Inec clarified on Monday that the window for the party to exchange candidates had been officially closed.

Mr. Sam Oluumekun, National Commissioner and Chair of the Information Education Committee and Inec Voters, made a position known in a statement released in Abuja on Monday.

“With this publication, there is no withdrawal or replacement of further candidates will be permitted unless there is the death of a candidate or pair that runs before the election day as determined by Section 34 (1) Election Law,” Oluumekun said.

He explained that the move was in line with the Inec election calendar and legal obligations, following the previous publication of the candidate’s personal statement.

“On August 18, 2025, the Commission issued a candidate’s personal details that emerged from the preliminary elections conducted by political parties for the 2026 FCT area council election,” he recalled.

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Olumekun noted that a total of 17 political parties succeeded in uploading the details of their candidates – using the EC9 form – with an official deadline at 18:00 on Monday, August 11, 2025. It marked the end of the period for any party to attract or replace a candidate.

“As a result, the Commission with this issued a final list of candidates who will fight in the selection of the 2026 FCT area council. Complete list of candidates based on parties, age, gender and academic qualifications has been uploaded to our social media websites and platforms for public information,” he added.

The attitude of the Inec company is a reminder for political parties that the procedural deadline will be closely upheld before the election. With the current list of candidates that are now determined, the race to control the FCT area council enters its last phase – there is no more replacement, there is no second chance.