APC Dominates FCT Area Council Elections as Voter Apathy Mars Nigeria's Local Polls
Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress secured victories in five of six Federal Capital Territory area councils amid historically low voter turnout, while opposition defections continue to reshape the country's political landscape.
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Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has consolidated its grip on the Federal Capital Territory, winning five of six area council seats in elections marred by widespread voter apathy and allegations of vote-trading, according to preliminary results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The elections, held on February 21, saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secure only Gwagwalada Area Council, where its candidate maintained a lead as collation continued. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition parties failed to capture any councils despite what INEC Chairman described as "peaceful and orderly" polls across the territory.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT in the National Assembly, expressed disappointment at the turnout following her vote in Maitama. "There is extreme voter apathy," Kingibe told reporters, according to Vanguard News, questioning why residents failed to fulfill their civic responsibilities. The low participation rate has raised concerns about democratic engagement in Nigeria's capital, where millions of residents are eligible to vote but few appeared at polling stations.
The elections unfolded against a backdrop of significant political realignment, with opposition figures continuing to defect to the ruling party. Dr. Chris Akomas, National Chairman of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria and a former Abia deputy governor, received over 5,000 defectors from the PDP and other parties into the APC, describing the ruling party as having "a commitment to making life better" for Nigerians, The Nation Newspaper reported.
This latest wave of defections has intensified debate about Nigeria's democratic trajectory. As of May 29, 2023, when the current administration took office, multiple governors and lawmakers have abandoned opposition parties for the APC, prompting stakeholders to question whether the country is drifting toward a one-party state. The defections have left the PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, significantly weakened at both federal and state levels.
The APC's dominance extended beyond the FCT, with the party also winning bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states. In Rivers, the APC secured available seats despite ongoing political tensions in the oil-rich state. The Kano elections proceeded without major opposition participation, as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), PDP, and ADC boycotted the polls, according to The Nation Newspaper.
Vote-buying allegations and late commencement of voting plagued the FCT elections, though security agencies maintained that the exercises remained largely peaceful. The BAT Ideological Group, a support organization for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provided campaign support including cash to APC chairmanship candidates, with Convener Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi specifically backing the party's aspirant in Bwari Area Council.
The elections also highlighted ongoing tensions between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Senator Kingibe. The ADC criticized Wike for alleged interference in the electoral process, while the minister defended his administration's security measures, stating he never imposed any curfew without presidential approval. This dispute reflects broader concerns about the autonomy of electoral processes in the FCT, which unlike Nigeria's 36 states, falls under direct federal government control.
Political analysts view the low turnout as symptomatic of growing disillusionment with local governance structures in Nigeria. Area councils, which function similarly to local government authorities in other parts of the country, are responsible for basic service delivery including waste management, primary healthcare, and local infrastructure. However, perceptions of corruption and ineffectiveness have historically dampened public enthusiasm for council elections.
The APC's sweep comes as Nigeria grapples with economic challenges including high inflation, currency devaluation, and fuel subsidy removal impacts. The party's ability to maintain electoral dominance despite widespread economic hardship suggests either effective political machinery or weakened opposition structures—or both. The continued defections from opposition ranks to the APC indicate that many politicians believe their interests are better served within the ruling party's tent.
As INEC completes final collation of results, attention will turn to how the newly elected councils address constituent concerns and whether they can restore public confidence in local governance. The low turnout serves as a stark reminder that electoral victories mean little without genuine public engagement and effective service delivery. For Nigeria's opposition parties, the challenge extends beyond winning elections to rebuilding organizational capacity and presenting compelling alternatives to voters increasingly skeptical of all political actors.