The All Progressives Congress (APC) described the outcome as a referendum on the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The ruling party swept to victory in the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and in the by-elections into state constituencies in Rivers and Kano states.
In the FCT, the ruling party won five of the six chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the remaining seat.
In Rivers State, the two state constituencies contested – Ahoada East II and Khana – were won by the APC.
In Kano State, the APC also won the two State House of Assembly seats made vacant by the death of the former occupants.
National Chairman of the ruling party, Prof. Nentanwe Yilwatda, said: “The Abuja election, in particular, is a powerful statement by Nigerians from all walks of life that they stand firmly with President Tinubu and his bold reform agenda.
“As residents of the nation’s capital, their verdict sends a strong message of widespread support, renewed hope, and confidence in the ability of this administration to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.”
President Tinubu, who expressed delight at the outcomes, congratulated the winners, noting that their victories underscored the party’s deep connection with the people.
The President said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, that the victorious candidates should approach their mandates with humility, patriotism and dedication.
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He advised them to regard the trust reposed in them by the electorate as sacred and to prioritise service to the people.
President Tinubu also commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as remarkable achievements, noting that the developmental strides recorded under his leadership had yielded political dividends for the party.
The President congratulated the APC national leadership and the leadership of the party in Kano and Rivers states for the victories.
He lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and voters for ensuring peaceful elections, stressing that credible polls are the bedrock of sustainable democracy.
President Tinubu said the courage, discipline and sportsmanship displayed by all contestants underscored the vibrancy of Nigeria’s democratic space.
He added: “Democracy is enriched by participation and healthy competition. The successful conduct of the elections further strengthens democratic institutions and public confidence in the electoral process.”
Yilwatda described the outcome of the polls as a resounding endorsement of the ongoing reforms and governance direction under President Tinubu.
He said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, that the overwhelming support recorded, particularly in the FCT, reflected Nigerians’ confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The chairman noted that Nigerians also believe the current reforms would ultimately lead the country to its desired destination.
Yilwatda said: “I heartily congratulate our teeming supporters of the APC in the Federal Capital Territory, Kano and Rivers states on the successful, peaceful and credible conduct of the Saturday, February 21, 2026 polls.
“The victories recorded by our great party are a clear testament to the resilience, unity and grassroots strength of the APC.”
He noted that the outcome of the FCT Area Council elections carried special national significance.
Yilwatda also congratulated the newly elected five APC chairmen in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Kuje, Abaji, Bwari and Kwali, noting that their victories underscored the party’s popularity among the people.
He hailed the PDP chairman-elect in Gwagwalada Council, saying democracy prevailed and the will of the people was respected.
Yilwatda also saluted the newly elected four state lawmakers-elect in Kano and Rivers states, describing their success as a reflection of effective party organisation and public trust in APC leadership.
Urging party members to manage the achievements responsibly, he said: “As we celebrate these victories, we must remain united, focused and committed to delivering good governance at all levels.
“The message from the people is clear: they want results, accountability and continued reforms in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. The APC will not disappoint.”
Yilwatda commended party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across the two states and the FCT for their discipline, dedication and commitment to peaceful democratic processes.
He also thanked security agencies and election officials for their professionalism.
There was jubilation in Kano following the APC’s victory in the by-elections.
The ruling party clinched the two Assembly seats that became vacant following the demise of Sarki Aliyu and Aminu Sa’ad.
There was low voter turnout and a boycott by opposition parties such as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the PDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The NNPP, PDP and ADC were absent from the ballot, leaving the APC to contest against parties including the Accord Party, AAC, ADC, APN, APP, PRP, WPP and ZLP.
Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Abdu Zango, blamed the leadership of the NNPP and PDP for not fielding candidates, stating that INEC was ready to accommodate any party that met the required conditions for participation.
In Kano Municipal Constituency, the APC candidate, Aliyu Nabil Daneji, polled 7,484 votes to win the seat.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Siraj, announced the results and declared him duly elected.
In Ungogo Constituency, the APC candidate, Aminu Sa’ad, secured 8,975 votes to clinch victory. The Returning Officer, Prof. Ali Tijjani Abdullahi, returned him elected.
Daneji and Sa’ad will represent their constituencies in the Kano State House of Assembly until May 29 next year.
The winners are sons of the lawmakers whose deaths created the vacancies.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf congratulated the winners and praised the peaceful conduct of the polls.
He described the exercise as a milestone in the state’s democratic journey.
In a statement by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature, the governor thanked INEC and the security agencies for ensuring an orderly and hitch-free poll.
He said: “The calm atmosphere across polling units reflects the growing political maturity of our people.”
The governor commended the nine political parties for complying with electoral rules.
“For the first time, we have had a crisis-free election in Kano. This development aligns with our Kano First Agenda,” he said.
Yusuf promised to focus on security and to work with electoral bodies to ensure transparent and credible future elections.
He noted that a new era of issue-based politics anchored on dialogue, tolerance and democratic values had emerged in the state.
The results
Gwagwalada: APC 17,788; PDP 22,165; APGA 1,682; ADC 1,368.Bwari: APC 18,466; ADC 4,254; ZLP 3,515.Kwali: APC 17,032; PDP 8,575; ADP 3,225; ADC 1,073.Abaji: APC 15,536; PDP 4,547; ADC 37.AMAC: APC 40,295; ADC 12,109; PDP 3,398.Kuje: APC 17,269; PDP 15,824; APGA 4,305; ADC 716.
APC candidates win in Ahoada East, Khana
The widow of a deceased Rivers State House of Assembly member for Khana State Constituency II, Mrs. Bulabari Loolo, and Ukalikpe Napoleon were declared winners of Saturday’s by-elections in Khana Constituency II and Ahoada East State Constituency II.
Both candidates contested on the platform of the APC.
Mrs. Bulabari polled 7,647 votes to fill the Khana seat vacated by her late husband.
Ukalikpe garnered 3,980 votes to fill the Ahoada East II seat vacated by Edison Ehie, who resigned.
In Ahoada East, the APC was trailed by the Action Party of Nigeria (APN) with 38 votes and the Action Alliance with 33 votes.
Other results showed: Boot Party (BP) 11; NNPP seven; Young Progressives Party (YPP) seven; and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) six votes.
In Khana, the results were: APC 7,647; Action Alliance 46; NNPP 37; YPP 23; and ZLP 47 votes.