By In a strong indication of its political might in the nation’s seat of power, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has so far won three chairmanship seats in the just-concluded council polls held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The elections, which were concluded on Saturday evening, took place in the six Area Councils of Abuja — Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abuja Municipal (AMAC). The polls will determine the winners of 62 councillorship and six chairmanship seats.
According to the official results announced by the electoral umpire — the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — the PDP won the chairmanship seats in AMAC, Kuje, Bwari while the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured Gwagwalada and Kwali.
Suleman Sabo of the PDP, who is the incumbent chairman of Kuje Area Council, won his second term in office after he polled 13,301 votes to defeat his closest rival, APC’s Sarki Hamidu who emerged second with 7,694 votes.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, the APC candidate, Jubrin Abubakar was declared winner by the INEC Returning Officer. Abubakar secured 11,125 votes to defeat Mohammed Kassim of the PDP who polled 9,597 votes.
The PDP candidate in Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya was re-elected for a second two-year term, beating his closest rival, Audi Shekwolo of the ruling APC. Gabaya scored 13,045 votes, while Shekwolo polled 7,697 votes.
In Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), which is said to be the most cosmopolitan of the six area councils, the PDP floored the APC. Its candidate, Christopher Zakka (Maikalangu) polled 19,302 votes to beat the APC candidate, Murtala Karshi (Yamarayi) who secured 13,249 votes.
It was a keenly contested election in Kwali Area Council as the candidate of the ruling APC, Danladi Chiya managed to secure re-election after polling 7,646 votes to defeat his closest rival, PDP’s Haruna Pai who garnered 7,345 votes.
However, the results for Abaji Area Council are yet to be officially announced at the time of filing this report.
