**Area Council Elections: Who Will Shape the FCT's Future?** This Saturday, residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) took to the polls to elect new chairmen and councillors for the six Area Councils. These elections are crucial, as the Area Councils play a vital role in providing essential services such as water, sanitation, local roads, schools, and healthcare to the people. Unlike in the 36 states, where these elections are known as local government elections, the FCT's version is referred to as Area Council polls. The FCT Area Councils are the closest elected bodies to the people, with their decisions having a direct impact on everyday life. The six Area Councils - Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali - will be administered by newly elected chairmen and councillors. The elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2,822 polling units across 62 wards, will determine the direction of the FCT for the next four years. In the last Area Council polls held on February 12, 2022, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) split the wins, with each party taking three councils. However, this time around, the stakes are high, and residents are hoping for a different outcome. Women, however, are underrepresented in the chairmanship category, with only three candidates vying for the top seat, representing less than five per cent of the total number of candidates. President Bola Tinubu has called for peaceful and orderly conduct during the elections, urging security agencies to exercise restraint and the electoral body to strengthen public confidence in the process. As the residents of the FCT take to the polls, they are buzzing with expectations, hoping for leaders who will provide effective representation and improve the quality of life in their communities. The outcome of these elections will be keenly watched, as they will shape the future of the FCT and its residents for years to come.