Tinubu Hails Peaceful Polls as INEC Faces Technical Challenges, Over-Voting Allegations
President Bola Tinubu congratulated winners of Saturday's elections in FCT, Kano, and Rivers, praising the peaceful conduct, even as INEC addressed technical hitches and the APC disputed results in Kuje Area Council over alleged irregularities.
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President Bola Tinubu has commended the conduct of Saturday's elections across the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, and Rivers states, declaring that the polls have strengthened Nigeria's democratic institutions, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) grappled with technical challenges and allegations of electoral malpractice emerged.
In a statement released Sunday, Tinubu congratulated the winners and urged them "to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication and to view the mandate given to them by the people as a sacred trust," according to presidential communications. The president specifically commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, APC leadership, INEC, and security agencies for what he characterized as "hitch-free polls."
Technical Delays and Disputed Results in Kuje
The president's optimistic assessment contrasted with developments on the ground in Kuje Area Council, where result announcement was significantly delayed. Abubakar Dambo, the Supervising Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of the Kuje Area Council election, attributed the delay to "challenges encountered in two" wards, according to The Nation Newspaper. The nature of these technical hitches was not immediately specified by the electoral body.
More seriously, the All Progressives Congress (APC) raised formal objections to the Kuje Area Council results, with party agents alleging systematic over-voting. An APC agent challenged the credibility of the collation process during the announcement of results. However, the collation officer denied the allegation, insisting that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was properly deployed for accreditation, according to Channels Television. The dispute highlights ongoing concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's electoral technology infrastructure, which was introduced to prevent the very irregularities now being alleged.
APC Sweeps Kano By-Elections Amid Low Turnout
In Kano State, APC candidates secured victories in assembly seats for Ungogo and Kano Municipal constituencies during Saturday's by-elections. However, electoral officials noted concerningly low voter participation. The Peoples Gazette reported that officials "attributed the low turnout to a combination of factors, including the timing of the election and limited party participation." The sparse turnout raises questions about voter enthusiasm and the competitiveness of the electoral contests in Nigeria's second-most populous state.
The by-elections were necessitated by vacancies in the state assembly, though the circumstances leading to these vacancies were not detailed in official statements. The victories consolidate APC's position in Kano's legislative arm, though the low participation suggests the party's mandate may lack the popular enthusiasm typically associated with competitive democratic contests.
Broader Democratic Implications
Saturday's polls occurred against the backdrop of ongoing electoral reforms, with the National Assembly recently completing its review of the 2022 Electoral Act and harmonizing amendments between both chambers. The timing of these elections provides an early test of Nigeria's electoral framework ahead of more consequential contests.
The mixed picture emerging from Saturday's voting—peaceful conduct marred by technical failures and disputed results—reflects the persistent challenges facing Nigeria's electoral system. While INEC has made significant investments in technology and training, the Kuje controversy demonstrates that allegations of manipulation continue to shadow Nigerian elections. The low turnout in Kano similarly suggests that voter confidence remains fragile, despite institutional improvements.
President Tinubu's emphasis on the "sacred trust" of electoral mandates takes on particular significance given these challenges. His administration has positioned itself as committed to democratic consolidation, making the credibility of even local elections a matter of national importance. The coming days will reveal whether INEC addresses the APC's allegations with sufficient transparency to maintain public confidence, or whether the Kuje dispute becomes another data point in Nigeria's troubled electoral history.
The electoral commission has not yet issued a comprehensive statement addressing the over-voting allegations or provided a timeline for resolving the technical issues that delayed result announcements in Kuje Area Council.