Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has faulted the performance of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the just-concluded Federal Capital Territory area council elections, saying the party failed to convert its visible campaign activities into electoral victories.
Abati spoke on Monday, the 23rd of February, 2026, during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television, where he assessed the political implications of the polls in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the results in Abuja suggest that the electoral contests have effectively been settled, urging political parties to critically evaluate their approaches ahead of subsequent elections.
Turning to events in Kano State, he observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victories in two by-elections. He noted that, at face value, the outcome indicates that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has displayed political capacity within the state.
Despite this, Abati projected that the 2027 general elections may trigger a surge in election-related court cases, revealing that certain candidates have already signalled plans to seek judicial redress.
He also questioned the effectiveness of recent electoral reforms, expressing scepticism that they would meaningfully address vote manipulation, financial inducement or other irregularities in future polls.
Abati said: “It looks like in Abuja the vote has been won and lost. In Kano, APC won in the two by-elections, which will indicate that Governor Abba Yusuf, on the surface of it, has shown that he too can deliver the APC in Kano state.
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“But generally, we have also seen that there may be a lot of litigations in 2027.
“Already the People’s Democratic Party is jubilating that, “oh, this is evidence of the resurgence of the PDP”. It is also saying that it won not just in Gwagwalada, it won in Kuje and also two local councils. and Dr Paul, I think that’s his name, Amos Paul, who is a candidate for the Abuja Municipal Council, said he’s going to go to court.
“So there will be a lot of litigation. If anyone thought that electoral 2026 will simplify and reduce rigging, reduce the influence of money and all of that, well that will be too much to hope for.
“We just hope that all the stakeholders, including the ADC that put up shows in Abuja and got nothing will learn from this and all the parties will restrategize. What that will imply in the future is something we cannot say.”