The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported an improvement in voter turnout during Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), despite logistical challenges in some areas.
According to the commission, approximately 15 per cent of the 1,680,315 registered voters participated in the polls, compared with 9.4 per cent in the 2022 elections. INEC noted that the delay in final results from Kuje Area Council was due to difficult terrain in Kabi Ward.
In a statement signed by Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, INEC commended FCT residents for the peaceful conduct of the elections and clarified that voters were not relocated. The creation of split polling units in larger locations was aimed at improving voter access, with information on new units communicated in advance via text messages and emails.
The commission confirmed that by 2:00pm on Sunday, February 22, 93 per cent of polling unit results had been uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), allowing the public to access results from all six Area Councils.
Civil Society Groups Raise Concerns
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) highlighted challenges including voter apathy, late deployment of election materials, and accessibility gaps for persons with disabilities, particularly in rural councils such as Kwali and Abaji.
They also raised concerns about incidents of vote buying, confusion from relocated polling units, and disruptions to the IReV portal during collation. Both groups called on INEC to strengthen transparency, improve logistics, and ensure inclusiveness in future elections, while urging security agencies to maintain neutrality.
EFCC Arrests 20 Suspects Over Electoral Offences
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 20 individuals across the FCT for alleged electoral offences during the Area Council elections, seizing over N17 million reportedly intended for vote buying. Suspects were apprehended in Abaji (2), Gwagwalada (9), Kuje (4), and Kwali (4), including one individual caught with N13.5 million in Kwali. The commission said the suspects will face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations.
Atiku Abubakar Criticizes Low Voter Turnout
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the low turnout—averaging below 20 per cent, with Abuja Municipal Area Council recording just 7.8 per cent—as a troubling reflection on the state of democracy under the current administration. He attributed the poor participation to political intolerance, intimidation, and the weakening of opposition voices, asserting that the environment under the Bola Tinubu-led government discourages active civic engagement.
