APC Gains Early Lead In FCT Council Elections Amid Low Voter Turnout

According to Ireporter Online, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured early leads in several polling units across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during Saturday’s Area Council elections, as reflected on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

By 10:15 p.m., collated results indicated the APC was ahead in key councils, although the exercise was marked by low voter turnout and allegations of vote buying. In Kwali Local Government Area, the APC polled 2,726 votes, followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 2,104 votes and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with 180 votes. In Kuje Area Council, the APC received 615 votes, PDP 393 votes, the All Progressives Grand Alliance 146 votes, ADC 24 votes, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party five votes. In the Abuja Municipal Area Council, the APC tallied 2,520 votes, while the ADC recorded 750 votes and the PDP 115 votes. Conversely, in Gwagwalada Area Council, the PDP led with 2,019 votes, compared to 1,779 votes for the APC and 115 votes for the ADC.

The elections were held to fill six chairmanship positions and 62 councillorship seats across the FCT. Despite competitive results in some areas, voter participation remained extremely low in many polling units. In AMAC, for instance, only seven voters had cast ballots at Polling Unit 006 in the City Centre Registration Area by 9:50 a.m., while at Kubwa Polling Unit 053, just 23 out of 464 registered voters were accredited, representing less than five per cent turnout. Across AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali, multiple polling units reported single- or double-digit voter participation.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room observed that many residents were going about normal activities during voting hours. Its Co-Convenor, Celestine Odo, noted widespread vote buying in several units, sometimes conducted openly. Although queues later formed in Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji, overall participation remained low. Yiaga Africa also criticised the turnout, attributing poor participation to late commencement of voting, missing materials, and administrative shortcomings, despite a largely peaceful atmosphere.

Allegations of vote buying surfaced in parts of AMAC, with some votes reportedly traded for up to ₦10,000 in Gidan Mangoro Ward. Operational lapses were recorded in Durumi I and II, where voting began late and some voters protested missing names from the register. Redistribution of voters to newly created polling units without prior notice also contributed to confusion.

As results continued to be collated, the APC maintained strong performances in parts of AMAC, particularly in Garki and Kpegyi polling units, consolidating its early lead in the chairmanship race. The ADC recorded victories in some units, while the PDP achieved dominant margins in select Bwari centres, reflecting a competitive contest across councils.

The ADC criticised the elections, accusing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of interfering by visiting polling units, which the party claimed could intimidate voters. The party also alleged coordination between APC agents and some security personnel in parts of the capital.

INEC continued uploading results to the IReV portal, reporting that as of 9:30 p.m., 1,030 results had been uploaded from 1,401 polling units in AMAC; Kwali recorded 119 uploads from 201 units; Kuje had 147 uploads from 262 units; Gwagwalada 227 from 338 units; Bwari 280 from 485 units; and Abaji 72 from 135 polling units.