06:19: ADC accuses Wike of interference in FCT elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the movement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, around various polling units in Abuja under the guise of “monitoring.”

It said Wike’s monitoring exercise, after unilaterally imposing a curfew on potential voters, represents direct interference in the election.

It said Wike is not a registered voter in the FCT and, as a known partisan and cabinet minister, has no constitutional role in the election process, stressing that his presence during active voting is therefore not only vexatious and meddlesome but also risks intimidating voters and officials.

06:01: FCT Polls: Kalu says smooth conduct sign of free and fair poll in 2027

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has described the smooth conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections as a positive signal for credible general elections in 2027, even as he decried low voter turnout.

Kalu, who led a high-level All Progressives Congress (APC) election monitoring team, spoke after inspecting polling units across the FCT, including the Presidential Villa precinct, Garki Village and several polling centres within the Abuja metropolis.

Also on the observation tour were the Deputy House Leader, Halims Abdullahi, and the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, alongside members of the APC campaign team.

Kalu said the party leadership, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the APC National Working Committee deserved commendation for constituting a committee to oversee both the campaign and election process.

“That decision gave us the opportunity to be involved in the planning of the campaign and to supervise the implementation of the election, ensuring that all necessary measures were put in place,” he said.

03:53: FCT Polls: Yiaga Africa director votes for first time in 15 years

As voters head to the polls to exercise their franchise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, many have begun sharing their experiences.

For the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, casting his ballot marks his first vote since 2011. He said the moment carries a profound sense of pride, not only as a citizen but as someone who has dedicated his life to safeguarding electoral integrity.

He noted that participating directly in the process he has long advocated for reinforces his belief in democratic accountability and the power of civic engagement.

According to him, beyond observing and monitoring elections, personally casting a vote underscores the responsibility of every eligible Nigerian to help shape the country’s democratic future.

The Guardian reports that Yiaga Africa is a non-profit civic hub committed to advancing democratic governance, protecting human rights, and fostering active citizen engagement across Africa.

 

03:37: FCT Polls: Wike hails peaceful conduct amid low turnout

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the Area Council elections across the territory, even as he noted low voter turnout in parts of the Abuja city centre.

Speaking with journalists after monitoring the exercise in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Wike said the polls had so far been largely peaceful, with no reports of violence or destruction of electoral materials.

“First of all, we thank God that everywhere is peaceful. The only issue we have observed is low voter turnout, particularly within the city, and that has always been the case. However, when you go to some of the satellite towns, the turnout is quite impressive,” he said.

The minister acknowledged minor protests at a polling unit he visited, but stressed that they did not escalate into violence.

“At this polling unit, you can see some protests, just as I was coming in. But what is important is that the election is peaceful — no violence, no destruction of ballot papers or ballot boxes,” he added.

03:15: FCT Polls: BVAS worked perfectly, says INEC Chairman

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Saturday, said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned almost perfectly across polling units during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

Amupitan, who monitored the exercise in parts of Garki, Wuse and the Abuja city centre, expressed satisfaction with the technology’s performance, noting that it enhanced the credibility of the electoral process.

According to him, all the BVAS machines deployed for the polls operated effectively, assuring residents that their votes would count.

“With the performance of the BVAS, the voices of FCT residents will be heard loud and clear,” he said.

 

02:58: INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan granting interview to journalists in Garki, FCT Area Abuja.

 

 

02:25: Large turnout at Junior Secondary school Area 1, Polling unit 001, O02, 30 & 52, with lots of security men among the crowd.

 

02:24: FCT Polls: Low turnout, busy markets recorded along Jikwoyi-Kurudu-Karshi corridor

A calm but subdued atmosphere defined Saturday’s Area Council elections along the Jikwoyi-Kurudu-Gidan Mangoro-Orozo-Karshi axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where low voter turnout contrasted sharply with vibrant commercial activity.

Across several polling units visited by The Guardian, accreditation and voting commenced on schedule, with electoral officials and security personnel present.

However, participation remained thin, as many centres recorded only a handful of voters hours after the exercise began.

At Polling Unit 060 in the Gidandaya area, turnout was described as “very, very low,” with only a few voters accredited out of 671 registered voters as of mid-morning.

INEC ad hoc staff joined by Police elements were observed seated and waiting for more residents to arrive.

02:14: FCT Polls: Bwari chairman confident despite low turnout

The Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mr. John Gabaya, has expressed confidence that the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections will end successfully, despite the low turnout of voters recorded in parts of the council.

Gabaya spoke with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Tokulo Primary School polling unit in his village on Saturday morning.

He acknowledged that although the voting process commenced on time in most polling units, voter participation was initially low.

However, he expressed optimism that turnout would improve as the day progressed.

“Elections started as scheduled. While turnout is not impressive at the moment, we are hopeful that more residents will come out to exercise their civic responsibility,” he said.

02:11: INEC Chairman monitoring activities at PU 005, LEA Primary school, Garki village.

01:34: FCT Polls: ADC’s AMAC candidate says process largely peaceful

The Abuja Municipal Chairmanship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr Paul Moses, has said the ongoing election process in the FCT has been largely peaceful.

The candidate stated this when he cast his vote at his polling unit located in Abacha Estate, Zone 4.

Voting commenced with accreditation before ballots were cast, a process observers described as peaceful and orderly. The exercise was reported to be progressing smoothly at the time of filing this report.

Speaking shortly after voting, the ADC candidate, Moses Paul, commended the conduct of the election. While acknowledging slight delays caused by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), he praised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their professionalism.

“The process has been largely peaceful,” he noted, adding that despite the time taken by the BVAS to complete accreditation, the exercise remained well-coordinated.

During a brief interaction with journalists, the ADC candidate reiterated his commitment to delivering effective leadership if elected. He also urged residents to participate responsibly in the democratic process.

He called on voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and in accordance with electoral guidelines, emphasising the importance of maintaining order throughout the election.

12:43: FCT Polls: A member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the Nyanya polling station, Honourable Musa Maigida, said: “So far, the process is ongoing, and we have not experienced any harassment from the police. As you can see, they are here and professional so far. We need them here, and we do not expect them to be partisan, but so far they have not shown any partisanship, and we are happy with their conduct.”

12:42: Low voter turnout has characterised the by-election held in two state constituencies in Kano State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting an off-season election in Municipal and Ungogo state constituencies to replace vacant seats in the state house of assembly.

Candidates from nine political parties are contesting the election to replace the late lawmakers who died on the same day last year.

12:24: INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, monitors activities at polling unit 016 Area 8, FCT, Abuja

 

12:24: At polling unit 30, Suncity, in the Galadimawa area of the FCT, voting is still ongoing at 12:24 pm. There is low voter turnout at the unit with over 700 registered voters.

12:14: FCT Polls: Low voter turnout, apathy observed in Bwari Council

The Area Council Election in Bwari Local Government of the Federal Capital Territory witnessed notably low turnout across polling units, as voting commenced smoothly on Saturday.

Only a handful of voters were seen at most of the polling units visited by The Guardian, despite each having over 500 registered voters, as of 12:00 p.m.

At Ushafa Primary School, residents trickled in slowly, a trend mirrored at Science Primary School, which hosts seven polling units, where only a few voters were present despite all units being open and operational.

Even larger polling units, such as 3/3 Junction by Model, Kubwa, with 1,089 registered voters, recorded minimal turnout.

Some residents said they had difficulty finding their polling units due to recent INEC relocations.

 

11:53: On the Kurudu-Orozo-Karshi axis, there is a large voter turnout, as security agents, including the Police and the Army, patrol the area in armoured vehicles.

11:16: Voting is ongoing at polling unit 030, EFAB Estate, Lokogoma, as at 11:09 am. While there are 750 registered voters in this unit, the current turnout is below 60.

11:08: Police officers enforcing movement restrictions at Lokogoma junction of the Federal Capital Territory. Vehicle and other road-user movement in this densely populated area remained sparse.

11: 04: At polling unit 35, inside Nzube Estate in Lokogoma in the Qbuja Municipal Area of the FCT, voting has started but with a low turnout as at 10:33 am. There are 532 registered voters under this unit.

10:58: Voting commenced at polling units 015, 0118 and 0117 at Jabi Upstairs.

10:20: Lugbe residents defy curfew, businesses, transport operations continue amid FCT restrictions

Despite movement restrictions for today’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, compliance appears only partial in Lugbe, where many residents were seen going about their normal activities.

 

10:12: PDP, NNPP, ADC Omitted from Ballot as INEC Conducts Kano By-Election

Three major opposition political parties are missing from the ballot paper issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the by-election taking place today in Kano State.

The affected parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The absence of the three opposition parties from the ballot has raised concerns among observers and voters, particularly given their significant presence in the state’s political landscape.

Three major opposition political parties are missing from the ballot paper issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the by-election taking place today in Kano State.

The affected parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The absence of the three opposition parties from the ballot has raised concerns among observers and voters, particularly given their significant presence in the state’s political landscape.

10:07: Former APC Candidate displays ballot after voting in Bwari

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Haruna Audi, on Saturday publicly displayed his ballot paper after voting at Polling Unit 001, Ushafa Primary School, during the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections.

09:46: Defections rock FCT polls as APC, PDP candidates withdraw for Rival
The build-up to today’s (February 21) Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has taken a dramatic turn, with a wave of cross-party withdrawals reshaping the political landscape across the nation’s capital.

In a development that underscores shifting alliances and strategic recalculations, the chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gwagwalada Area Council, Mallam Usman Yahaya, has withdrawn from the race and declared support for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kasim Mohammed Ikwa (Wakilin Zuba).

 

09:00: INEC Officials Arrive Early in Dutse, Bwari Area Council

08:00:Sagwari Extension, Customary Court Security Gate I & II, Dutse Alhaji (600 registered voters).

Polling unit officials and security personnel were already on the ground, but no party agents or voters had been sighted.

Residents were seen moving around and conducting their normal business activities without any hindrance.

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and 15 other political parties are deploying their full political machinery today in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, alongside bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states.

Political observers on Friday described the polls as a test run ahead of next year’s general elections.

At stake in the FCT polls are the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and the five other area councils of Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

Also being contested today are seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly for Ahoada II and Khana II state constituencies, as well as Kano State House of Assembly seats for Ungoggo and Kano Municipal constituencies.

In the build-up to the polls, three presidential aspirants of the ADC — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi — took turns during the week to campaign for the ADC chairmanship candidate in the FCT, Dr. Moses Paul.

Observers also say the Kano bye-elections will provide a key test of the political strength of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, following his recent defection from the NNPP to the APC.

According to figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a total of 1,680,315 registered voters across 62 registration areas (wards) and 2,822 polling units are eligible to vote in the FCT elections.

INEC said it has established an Election Monitoring Centre to track developments nationwide and respond swiftly to any emergencies arising from the electoral exercise.