Nigeria, Feb. 27 -- Saturday's Area Council election in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was more than a routine local contest that produced chairpersons and councillors. It offered a glimpse into what could shape the 2027 general elections, particularly in Abuja.

Voting commenced early in many polling units across the six area councils-Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Kuje and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won five of the six councils. Five councils have 10 wards each, while AMAC has 12.

Of the 1,680,315 registered voters in the FCT, 1,587,025 collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and were eligible to vote. Voting took place across 2,822 polling units, using 4,345 Bi...