Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday headed to the polls to elect chairmen and councillors who will oversee the administration of the six Area Councils.
Unlike the 36 states where similar exercises are known as local government elections, the exercise in the nation’s capital is officially referred to as Area Council elections. The FCT is administered by a minister appointed by the President, rather than an elected governor and state assembly.
The councils — Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali — represent the closest tier of government to residents, providing essential services such as primary healthcare, sanitation, water supply, local roads and basic education.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting the elections across 2,822 polling units in 62 wards spread across the six councils.
The last Area Council elections were held on February 12, 2022, producing a split outcome, with three councils won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and three by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
INEC data shows limited female participation in the chairmanship race, with only three women contesting across the six councils — representing less than five per cent of the total number of candidates. In Abaji, Anumnu Abigail of the Action Alliance is the sole female chairmanship candidate; AMAC has Richard Elizabeth of the Action Democratic Party; while Kuje features Aju Ukwa of the Zenith Labour Party. No woman is contesting for chairmanship in Bwari, Gwagwalada or Kwali, although female participation is higher in the vice-chairmanship category.
Ahead of the polls, President Bola Tinubu called for peaceful and orderly conduct, urging voters to turn out without fear and security agencies to act professionally and with restraint. In a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasised that democracy thrives in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance and mutual respect.
He also cautioned political parties and their supporters against violence, inflammatory rhetoric and actions capable of undermining the credibility of the elections, warning security agencies against high-handedness or intimidation that could disenfranchise voters.
To facilitate participation, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike declared Friday a work-free day and announced a restriction of movement from 8:00 p.m. on Friday to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. He urged residents to vote peacefully and responsibly, describing the elections as a crucial opportunity to shape the future of the capital territory.
Security personnel were deployed across the city to maintain order, as residents gathered at polling units in anticipation of the exercise.
