FCT Council Elections: Low turn out of voters mar polls

By Tunde Opalana

22 February 2026

Politics

Elections into Chairmanship and Councillorship positions held on Saturday across 2,822 polling units in 62 wards in Six council areas of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Kuje, Gwagwalada and Kwari, all under the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The Daily Times team of Tunde Opalana, Ukpono Ukpono, Tom Okpe,Temitope Balogun, Andrew Orolua, Oladisun Amosun and Msugh Ityokura in an on the spot coverage of elections reported low turn out of voters, peaceful conduct, heavy presence of security agencies, larger percentage of BVAS performance with an insignificant report of glitches and late opening of voting due to late arrival of voting materials.

Our team observed voter apathy across the city centre under AMAC and at polling units visited in other council areas.

Voter apathy took the centre stage in Kuje Area Council as accreditation and voting began amid a visibly low turnout across several polling units.

Despite the early arrival of electoral officials and party agents, many centres recorded sparse attendance, raising concerns about citizens’ willingness to participate in the exercise.

At Polling Unit 035 behind the Secretariat, 030 at Kauna Plaza, and units 003, 004, 032 and 026 at Kayarda Primary School, only a handful of voters were seen waiting to be accredited, while party agents monitored proceedings.

An agent of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Abraham Silas, linked the low turnout partly to the malfunctioning of the BVAS machine, noting that some voters left after waiting for the device to function, with the promise of returning later.

At Polling Unit 003, Kayarda Primary School, a voter, Hajiya Fatimah Adeoye, expressed worry over the poor turnout, while another APC agent, Mr. Sani Mohammed, insisted that general voter apathy, rather than technical issues alone, was largely responsible for the low participation.

Only 32 of 749 registered voters participated at the Supreme Court Staff Quarters, Karu polling units under the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, reflecting a concerning low turnout

Low voter-out and a major case of no voting at the polling unit 091 Jikwoyi Phase IV, Police Unit marred what could have been a seamless Area Council election in the FCT yesterday.

Our Correspondent who monitored the exercise in the Karu/Jikwoyi axis of the FCT reports that as at 2.30pm when voting should have ended, no polling activity took place at the unit.

Party agents,security personnel and a handful to prospective voters still remaining on ground were seen discussing the development.

They attested to the fact that since converging on the venue early in morning, there had been no INEC presence or evidence of polling agents or even polling materials up to the point of filing this report.

Concerned party agents and other stakeholders expressed fears that if the development was not as a result of genuine mistake of the concerned officials not being able to locate the venue or the new polling unit, then there is the possibility of perpetuating rigging through falsification of false results if you he development is not promptly reported to the appropriate quarters.

They then resolved to come up with individual and collective reports to be signed by them all and submitted at the collection center at Karu.

In an interview with the zonal electoral officer in charge of ten polling units in the area, Maryam Musa, she said voting started picking up as the day worn-on despite the initial seeming low turn-out.

Pockets of voters were observed on queue at the different polling units – 109 Jikwoyi Phase 111 as well as others along the Kurudu/Army Barracks axis of the area.

The exercise was conducted peacefully and most areas with comprehensive voters list displayed with names and photographs.

An informed voter Johnchucks Ogbonna said the rather low turnout of voters might not be unconnected with the recent signing of the Reviewed Electoral Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting the skepticism the average Nigerian on anything new concerning the country’s electoral process.

The disturbing low turn out of voters was corroborated by an independent election observing body,Yiaga Africa which expressed concerns over late commencement of voting, logistical lapses and low voter turnout.

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, made this known in a news conference on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections for chairmanship positions in the six Area Councils and 62 councillorship seats.

According to him, Yiaga Africa deployed trained and accredited roving observers to monitor activities across polling units in the territory’s 62 wards.

“Observers arrived as early as 7:30 a.m. to assess opening procedures, accreditation, voting and counting processes.”

The civil society organisation said its Watching the Vote (WTV) preliminary assessment was based on real-time reports from observers and focused strictly on process observation, noting that a Parallel Vote Tabulation was not deployed for the election.

According to Yiaga Africa, the elections were largely peaceful, allowing voters who turned out to cast their ballots without widespread disruption.

However, turnout was generally low in most polling units visited.

The group identified logistical challenges that affected the timely opening of polling units, particularly in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

“In areas such as Wuse and Gwarinpa, several polling units reportedly opened well behind schedule, with officials still arranging materials as of 9:00 a.m. Accreditation and voting in many locations began around 10:00 a.m., contrary to electoral guidelines.

“Observers also reported gaps in the deployment of some materials. While key items such as the BVAS machines and voter registers were eventually available in most polling units.

“Instances of delayed provision of voter registers and absence of essential materials like voting cubicles were recorded in a few locations.”

Another body, The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) expresses deep concern over the persistent pattern of low voter turnout in the FCT, particularly within residential estates and urban communities where electoral apathy remains entrenched.

It said that this growing disconnect between citizens and the democratic process weakens accountability and undermines the very foundation of inclusive governance.

“Elections are more than moments of political choice, they are opportunities to shape the future of governance, influence policy, and ensure that public institutions work in the interest of the people. When citizens disengage, they cede that power, silently accepting poor service delivery, inadequate infrastructure, and unresponsive leadership.

“The government’s mandate is clear: to guarantee security, provide quality education and healthcare, expand access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity, and promote equitable development. But for these responsibilities to be fulfilled, citizens must play their part, by voting, by holding leaders accountable, and by insisting that promises translate into policies and services that meet real needs.

“When FCT residents do not participate in elections, they lose the opportunity to influence decisions that directly affect their daily lives, from waste management and public safety to job creation, transportation, and urban planning. Civic disengagement allows inefficiency and corruption to flourish, further eroding trust in democratic institutions,” the body said.

Amupitan

However, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, describing the process as orderly, efficient and peaceful.

Amupitan made this known on Saturday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen after monitoring the process at few polling units within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Amupitan maintained that the performance of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the level of voter turnout were positive indicators for the country’s democratic process.

He highlighted the speed of the accreditation process, noting that the BVAS technology had significantly reduced waiting times for voters.

“You can see by yourself that the election is orderly and very efficient. The election is peaceful and those are the indices of a good election.

“So far, the efficiency of the BVAS is high and I am very satisfied because the BVAS are working effectively and efficiently.

“From what I have seen and heard from the presiding officers, it takes about less than five seconds to even accredit a voter.

“So far, I can say that the election is well organised. The election is peaceful from the calm atmosphere you have seen,” Amupitan said.

He commended the turnout of voters, attributing it to an increased awareness among citizens regarding the importance of participating in the electoral process.

He also praised the calm atmosphere and the conduct of both voters and security personnel.

“You can see a lot of people here and they are conducting themselves well. I learned that there are 30 security personnel that are present here.

“They are also conducting their affairs in an orderly manner. So, we hope that at the close of the poll, we will have a very successful election,” he said.

The INEC boss, however, acknowledged minor hiccups in certain areas, especially the delay in arrival of election materials and ad hoc officials in few polling units, noting that INEC was on top of the situation.

He said that as at 10:30 a.m., 99 per cent of polling units across the FCT had successfully opened and that the commission was monitoring the situation in real-time from the situation room to ensure all eligible voters were attended to.

Amupitan pledged that the commission would not only ensure that the votes of Nigerians count in the FCT election, but would ensure further improvements, moving forward to the 2027 general elections.

“The voices of Nigerians will be held this time around. The BVAS, as far as I am concerned, is working very well.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the polling units visited by Amupitan included: PU 016, Area 8, Garki, AMAC, PU 005 LGEA Primary school Garki Village, PUs 001 and 002, 052, Junior Secondary School, Area 1, 007 National Library, Area 2, Garki, AMAC.

The chairman also visited the INEC FCT office, where the deployment of election result collation officers was ongoing.(NAN)

Opposition Parties Flays Wife’s Interference

Both the African Democratic Congress, ADC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP condemns the minister of the Federal Capital Territory , FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike over alleged Interference in the elections.

The ADC strongly condemns the movement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, around various polling units in Abuja under the guise of “monitoring.”

“Wike’s “monitoring” exercise, after unilaterally imposing a curfew on potential voters, represents direct interference in the election.

“He is not a registered voter in the FCT, and as a known partisan and cabinet minister, Wike has no constitutional role in the election exercise. His presence during active voting is therefore not only vexatious and meddlesome, but also risks intimidating voters and officials.

“In a similar vein, the ADC has received reports of voter suppression and intimidation in parts of the FCT, including alleged collaboration between APC agents and some security personnel.

“We also note disruptions to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which has remained inaccessible even as results are being collated. We find this a curious coincidence and call on INEC to urgently restore full IReV functionality, with a clear public explanation of the disruption,” said Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) noted with concern, a viral video in which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was allegedly addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress at a polling unit, openly boasting that after voting, they should “leave the rest” for him.

According to the party, this statement is deeply disturbing. “It conveys a troubling mindset and suggests a clear intent to interfere with, manipulate, or unduly influence the electoral process. Such conduct is unacceptable in a democratic society and constitutes a direct threat to the credibility and integrity of elections.

“At a time when Nigerians expect transparency, neutrality, and strict adherence to democratic norms especially from public office holders this utterance falls far below the standards expected of a serving minister of the Federal Republic,” said Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, National Chairman of the party, in a statement last night.

The PDP therefore callef on the Independent National Electoral Commission “to take immediate notice of this undemocratic statement and to unequivocally dissociate itself from any individual or action capable of compromising the credibility of the electoral process. INEC must reassure Nigerians through decisive action that it remains committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

“Democracy must be protected, and no one regardless of position or influence should be allowed to undermine the will of the people.”

The Daily Times report that Wike hailed the peaceful conduct of the Area Council elections in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), even as he acknowledged low voter turnout in the city centre.

Speaking after monitoring several polling units in AMAC, the Minister said the exercise had remained calm, with no reports of violence or disruption.

Some of the polling units in AMAC, visited by the minister includes, Garki, Karu ( Chief palace), Karshi, Apo and Ketti in Kabusa.

“First of all, we thank God that everywhere is peaceful. The only issue we have observed is low voter turnout, particularly within the city, and that has always been the case. However, when you go to some of the satellite towns, the turnout is quite impressive.”

He added, “At this polling unit, you can see some protests, just as I was coming in. But what is important is that the election is peaceful. No violence, no destruction of ballot papers or ballot boxes.”

Assessing the role of security agencies, the minister commended their conduct throughout the process.

“As I said, the election is peaceful, which means security has done very well. In the past, we used to have incidents of violence in some polling units, but in this case, we have not recorded any such violence.”

The minister also addressed criticism from the senator representing the FCT over the restriction of movement announced ahead of the election.

“It is unfortunate. I never imposed a curfew. In my statement, I said, with the approval of Mr. President, that there would be a restriction of movement from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. This is not the first time such a measure has been taken during elections.”

He continued, “I clearly stated that it was with the approval of Mr. President. People should take time to read statements properly and understand what was said before reacting. I do not want to join issues. At the end of the election, when the results come out, we will all know.”

Security

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, says the 2026 FCT Area Council elections have been peaceful.

Odumosu gave the assessment while briefing newsmen on Saturday at the NSCDC FCT command, after monitoring the voting exercise across various polling units in the FCT.

He said that electorate had conducted themselves in an orderly manner, hence no cause for alarm.

“I can tell you that everything is going smoothly and there is no cause for alarm.

“Apparently, before now, we had made very massive deployment to all the area councils so that we don’t have any issues and it’s visible at the places we have been.

“We don’t have any issue as far as peace and order are concerned, and I think this is highly commendable,” Odumosu said.

He said that the surveillance and show of force were aimed at checkmating and sending signal to those who might be planning to cause chaos or upturn the election result, as the case might be.

“So we have our men on standby and I am sure sister agencies like the police and others are ready for whatever will be the outcome.

“But from what I have seen so far, there is massive deployment and I don’t envisage any problem,” he said.

Odumosu said that the area council election served as a build-up to the 2027 general elections which require enhanced preparedness.

“That’s a major election we are actually waiting for and preparing towards.

“I think that whatever it is that has happened during this election, by the time we get back to the table, we will be able to review, assess and from whatever findings we get and make amends where necessary,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Monitoring in the FCT, Abayomi Shogunle said there was a massive deployment of officers and men of the Nigeria Police by the Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun.

He said all polling units visited were calm with voters and officials going about their normal duties without security breach.

Challenges

BVAS glitches disenfranchise voters in Abaji

Some electorate in Abaji Area Council elections expressed disappointment after the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) failed to validate them to exercise their franchise in Saturday’s area council elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred on the BVAS with delimitation number: 37-01-05-011 deployed to Naharati Sabo Primary School in Abaji which hosted five polling units.

The electorate, who spoke with NAN, said that they had been using the same permanent voter card in past elections and had never been rejected by BVAS.

Mr Usman Nuhu, a 51-year-old voter, said that he was the fourth person to arrive at the polling but was unable to vote.

“I want to vote but the machine is rejecting me. I left and came back on three occasions and it still rejected me,” he said.

Haruna Bala, a 26-year old, who was rejected by BVAS, said “I am angry the machine rejected me.

“Maybe it’s because I have now grown beards because when I registered, I didn’t have beards; anything they can do, let them do it so I can vote,” he said.

Also, Mrs Adamu Amina said that she had been using her voter card in previous elections without any challenge.

She argued that her details and picture were clear enough for the machine to recognise her but it failed to do so.

Another voter, Mr Mohammed Usman, said he had been using his card in previous elections, querying why he was not recognised now.

Upon inquiry, the Assistant Presiding Officer, Mr Muhammed Awal, said that many factors could be responsible for the rejection.

Awal said that some of the intending voters registered when they were much younger, adding that looking older now could lead to rejection.

He, however, said that all the affected voters had been captured and that a proper report and complaint would be lodged for an update or a new card entirely.(NAN)

Allege Vote Buying

Some party agents have alleged vote buying in ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections in some parts of Gwagwalada Area Council.

The party agents, representing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP), made the allegation at Better Life, UBE and Kotangora polling units in Gwagwalada area.

They also claimed that INEC officials were not issuing the ballot papers in serial order during accreditation and voting.

The YPP agent, Momoh Abdul, particularly criticised the conduct of INEC officials, describing their handling of ballot papers as improper.

Abdul alleged that officials were tearing ballot papers from the bottom rather than from the top.

“The INEC officials are not issuing the ballot papers serially. Rather, they are tearing it from the end of the ballot booklet, and this is suspicious,” Abdul said.

He further claimed that votes were being bought for amounts ranging from N500 to N3,000, depending on negotiation between party representatives and voters.

Similarly, the PDP agent, Yahaya Umar, said that vote buying could undermine the credibility of the process.

However, the APC agent, Hamidu Gimba, denied the allegations, stating that no vote buying was taking place at the polling unit.

Gimba said that he had been present throughout the exercise and had not witnessed any incident of voting buying.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Officer at polling unit 002 in Gwagwalada area council, Mr Francis Ihyomna, denied the allegation of not issuing ballot papers serially, stressing that nothing of such was happening.

“I have been issuing the ballot paper serially to voters. We just started with ballot paper one and that is the one we are still using.

“We have not even skipped any number and had yet to record any incident of rejected paper,” Ihyomna said.

The presiding officer also confirmed the incident of missing names in the voter register.

Ihyomna described the issue as a slight omission, noting that the name of one voter identified as Aisha was missing from the register but was later found in another polling unit.

Late Arrival of material

Some voters in Garki, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed displeasure over late arrival of voting materials in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting commenced at polling unit 156, Damagaza Settlement, at about 11:40 a.m., as INEC officials could not arrive for the exercise until about 11:25 a.m.

Some of the voters, who were visibly angry, told NAN that they were already getting weary and about to return home before they sighted the INEC team.

Emmanuel Ugochi, said most of the voters arrived as early as 7.30 a.m. but had to leave angrily after waiting for about two-and-a-half hours.

“Most of the voters you are seeing here now are those who arrived late; even my own wife was among those who got angry and left, and you can image the time they (INEC officials) just arrived for the election fixed for 8.30 a.m

“I am with my card and in spite of the delay, I felt I have to wait and vote for a very obvious reason,” he said.

Another voter, who pleaded anonymity and was seen angrily leaving the venue, said he was heading home to rest, saying he needed to go and take his medication

“I am an ulcer patient, and I need to go home and take my medication and rest a while. I felt I would have voted by now, having been here for more than two hours,’’ he said.

An INEC official, who did not want his name in print, was seen hurriedly setting up the tables for the ballot casting, attributing their late arrival to logistics challenges.

“We had logistics issues from the registration area centre where we went for the distribution of materials and that was the reason for the late arrival, but we are here now and every eligible voter will be allowed to vote,” he assured.(NAN)

Incomplete election material in Kwali

At Dabo Primary School in Pai Ward, Kwali Area Council, INEC officials allegedly arrived late without complete voting materials, sparking outrage among observers and residents.

The materials were to be distributed from Bako primary school At 7:45 a.m., observers reported that materials had yet to arrive, with INEC staff nowhere in sight. PDP observer Habibu Musa alleged that 830 ballot papers were missing.

“Here at Dabi Primary School in Pai Ward, our people said if it’s not complete, they’re not coming,” Musa said. “Anywhere those other ballot papers are, they need to provide them—that’s why INEC officials aren’t available.” By 8:30 a.m., frustrated residents were still waiting to cast their votes. The situation turned rowdy until an INEC representative arrived around 8:45 a.m.