Vote-Buying Allegations, Low Turnout Mar Nigeria's FCT Area Council Elections
Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory area council elections on February 21 faced allegations of vote-buying and low voter turnout despite INEC expressing satisfaction with the electoral process.
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Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory held area council elections on February 21, 2026, amid mixed reports of electoral malpractice and logistical challenges, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expressing satisfaction with the overall conduct of the polls.
The elections, which saw over 1.5 million registered voters eligible to participate according to INEC data reported by Channels Television, were marred by allegations of vote-buying in multiple area councils, particularly Gwagwalada. The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of election observers, reported that votes were being sold for N10,000 in some polling units, according to Vanguard News. Opposition parties, including the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the vote-buying schemes.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, electoral irregularities extended beyond vote-buying. A YPP official identified as Mr. Abdul alleged to Peoples Gazette that polling officials were improperly handling ballot papers, tearing them from the bottom rather than from the top as prescribed by electoral guidelines. These allegations were compounded by reports of candidate withdrawals that remained unconfirmed by election authorities.
Logistical Challenges and Voter Apathy
Low voter turnout and delayed commencement of voting characterized the elections across several area councils. In Kubwa, a densely populated suburb of Abuja, The Nation Newspaper reported that residents "trickled into polling units" with the late arrival of electoral officials contributing to the sluggish start. Similar patterns emerged in Lugbe under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where Business Day observed sparse voter presence at multiple polling units.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room highlighted the late commencement of voting in many polling units as a significant concern, according to Vanguard News. These delays, combined with apparent voter apathy, raised questions about citizen engagement in local governance despite the FCT's status as Nigeria's capital territory. The contrast between the 1.5 million registered voters and actual turnout suggests a significant participation gap that could affect the legitimacy of elected area council representatives.
Security forces, including operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed to maintain order. Vanguard News reported that security personnel had to reinforce their presence at certain polling units following brief disruptions caused by protests from opposition party agents over alleged vote-buying by APC operatives.
Official Assessment and Ministerial Oversight
Despite the challenges, INEC officials expressed satisfaction with key aspects of the electoral process. The commission praised what it described as smooth accreditation procedures and commended the "calm atmosphere and the conduct of both voters and security personnel," according to Peoples Gazette. This positive assessment from electoral authorities contrasted sharply with the concerns raised by civil society observers and opposition parties.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike actively monitored the elections, visiting polling units and ordering traders to close their businesses during voting hours, as reported by Channels Television. Wike's hands-on approach reflected the political significance of the area council elections in Nigeria's capital, where local governance intersects with federal oversight in ways unique to the FCT's administrative structure.
The mixed outcomes of the FCT area council elections highlight persistent challenges in Nigeria's electoral system, particularly at the local government level where vote-buying and logistical failures continue to undermine democratic processes. As INEC prepares to announce final results, the allegations of electoral malpractice and the notably low voter turnout in key areas will likely fuel debates about electoral reform and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in Nigerian politics. The elections serve as a test case for INEC's preparedness ahead of more consequential state and national polls, with civil society groups expected to issue comprehensive reports on their findings in the coming days.