The All Progressives Congress (APC) made strong gains in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections and secured victories in the Rivers State by-elections, as results trickled in over the weekend.
In Rivers, APC candidates Ukalikpe Napoleon and Loolo Bulabari Henrietta won the Ahoada East and Khana 2 state constituency by-elections, polling 3,980 and 7,647 votes respectively. Their closest opponents trailed by wide margins. The elections were described as peaceful and orderly by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Gabriel Yomere.
In the FCT, the APC led in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Kwali, and Abaji. The party narrowly trailed the PDP in Gwagwalada, while it held a slim advantage over PDP in Kuje. Reports indicated low voter turnout in central Abuja but higher participation in surrounding areas.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) faced significant setbacks, with its National Publicity Secretary attributing the poor performance to alleged voter intimidation and collaboration between APC agents and some security personnel. However, INEC, the police, and the NSCDC confirmed that the polls were conducted smoothly.
High-profile APC leaders, including National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and former Kano Governor Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, monitored results at the party’s situation room. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and other officials commended the peaceful voting, though some political figures criticized his presence at polling units as potentially intimidating.
Election observers, including Yiaga Africa, praised the generally calm conduct of the elections but expressed concern over low voter turnout in many areas and reported instances of vote buying at select polling units.
Overall, the exercise demonstrated strong organizational efficiency by INEC, cooperative engagement by security agencies, and a generally peaceful electoral environment in both the FCT and the Rivers State constituencies.
