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INEC Promises e-transmission of FCT Council Poll Results, Warns Against Vote-buying
Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, said on Wednesday that the results of the FCT Area Council Elections will be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in accordance with extant laws.
The INEC chairman also disclosed that about 1,680,315 registered voters will participate in Saturday’s Area Council Elections.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, the INEC chairman said the commission will be deploying about 11,873 polling unit officials across the six Area Councils, warning however that the commission will not accept any excuse for failure.
He warned against vote buying during the elections, adding that the commission is working closely with the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to nip the incident in the bud.
“The conduct of credible elections is a shared responsibility. While the Commission is constitutionally mandated to organise, undertake and supervise elections, their success depends on the cooperation, restraint and commitment of all stakeholders acting within the framework of the law.
“This election will involve 1,680,315 registered voters who will cast their ballots in 2,822 polling units spread across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, namely Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. A total of 570 candidates is contesting 68 constituencies for the positions of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as well as 62 councillorship seats, comprising 10 wards each in five Area Councils and 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“These figures underscore the scale of the exercise and the responsibility placed upon all of us to ensure its success.
“It is important to note that the FCT Area Council Election remains the only local government election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Over the years, it has become a reference point for Local Government elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions, particularly because of the diversity reflected in its outcomes.
“The credibility of this process has strengthened confidence in grassroots democracy. As we approach Saturday, 21st February 2026, we must collectively resolve to raise the bar even higher.
He said the Commission has kept faith with its commitments, and expect political parties and candidates to equally comply with the law as the campaign period draws to a close.
He affirmed that the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards ended on February 10, 2026. During the exercise, 106,099 PVCs from the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which was suspended in the FCT on Sunday, 12th October 2025, were collected.
“This demonstrates the interest of residents of the Federal Capital Territory in participating in the electoral process. We encourage all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully on Election Day and exercise their franchise in an orderly manner.
“Consistent with our commitment to transparency and inclusiveness, the Commission has accredited 89 domestic and foreign observer groups to observe the election. In addition, 700 journalists representing 72 domestic and foreign media organisations have been accredited to cover the process.
“We appreciate their role in strengthening public confidence and urge them to discharge their responsibilities professionally and in accordance with the applicable guidelines,” he added in a statement.
He disclosed that the commission will be deploying 11, 873 Polling Unit Officials, including officials for the 195 split polling units supported by 282 Supervisory Presiding Officers, 68 Local Government Area and Registration Area Supervisors and Monitors, 68 Registration Area Centre Managers, 208 Registration Area and LGA Technical Support Staff, as well as 192 Registration Area and LGA Collation Officers.
He said: “The emphasis throughout has been on strict adherence to the Electoral Act, the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines, and on professionalism, neutrality and efficiency in the discharge of duties.
“The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System has been upgraded and will be deployed in all 2,822 polling units across the Federal Capital Territory for voter accreditation, and results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal in accordance with established procedures.
“All the required BVAS devices for the polling units, including those for the 195 split polling units, as well as the additional five per cent backup, have been thoroughly tested and fully charged for deployment on Election Day.
“To further strengthen public confidence, the Commission conducted a mock accreditation exercise using the improved BVAS in 289 polling units across the FCT. The outcome of that exercise was satisfactory, and we are confident in the effectiveness and reliability of the system for this election.
“Logistics remains central to the successful conduct of elections. On Monday, 16th February 2026, the Commission met with the leadership of the transport unions responsible for providing the bulk of vehicles required for election duty.
“For this election, 1,132 vehicles, 620 motorcycles and 14 boats will be deployed. We made it unequivocally clear that there must be no lapses in logistics on Election Day. Polling units are expected to open promptly at 8.30 a.m. We held extensive discussions and are confident that the unions will fulfil their obligations to ensure timely movement of personnel and materials.
“As we approach Election Day, the Commission has substantially discharged its responsibilities. What remains is for all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that the election is peaceful, credible and that its outcome is widely accepted. Let me reiterate that INEC does not have a political party and does not have a preferred candidate.
“Our mandate is clear: to provide the enabling environment for residents of the Federal Capital Territory to freely choose their representatives on 21st February 2026. I call on candidates and party leaders to prevail on their supporters to act responsibly, respect the rules and allow the will of the people to prevail.
“There is, however, one issue that must be addressed directly, and that is vote trading or vote buying. The Commission has given an express mandate to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to deploy their personnel to polling units.
“Any individual found buying or selling votes will be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law. Vote trading undermines the sanctity of the ballot and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions. It must not be tolerated”.
He appealed to stakeholders to recommit themselves to peaceful conduct and strict compliance with the law, adding that security agencies must remain professional and impartial. Political parties must conduct themselves responsibly.
In addition, he said the media must report accurately. Observers must remain objective. Voters must turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise freely.
Attention has shifted to the Supreme Court, which has fixed April 30 (today) for judgment in the leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba will resolve the appeal filed by the David Mark-led faction concerning the authentic leadership of the party.
Also on Thursday, the court is expected to determine the leadership dispute rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Two PDP factions—one led by Kabir Turaki and the other by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike—are laying claim to the leadership of the party.
The Supreme Court had on April 22 reserved judgment in the ADC crisis to a date to be communicated to the parties involved in the tussle.
However, on Tuesday, the ADC formally wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, pleading for the quick delivery of judgment in the leadership tussle at the national level.
The party claimed it would suffer irreparable harm if judgment in the protracted battle was not delivered within the period allowed by the Electoral Act for fielding candidates for the 2027 general elections.
It stated in part: “Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days from the date of this letter, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 general elections.
“This would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who have subscribed to the ideals of the ADC and deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice.”
At the April 22 hearing, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, who represented David Mark, urged the Supreme Court to allow the appeal, arguing that the apex court had earlier, on March 21, 2025, held that “no court has jurisdiction to entertain matters bordering on the internal affairs of political parties.”
During the hearing, Okutepa urged the apex court to hold that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
However, Robert Emukperu, SAN, who represented the first respondent, Nafiu Gombe, urged the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgment of the lower court, which held that the suit was premature.
It will be recalled that a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal dismissed Mark’s appeal, ruling that it was premature and filed without leave of the trial court.
In the PDP matter, the first appeal, marked SC/CV/164/2026, stems from a decision of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who restrained the party from proceeding with its planned convention pending the determination of a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.
On November 14, the court issued a final order restraining the PDP from conducting its national convention.
Justice Lifu held that Lamido was “unjustly denied” the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for national chairman, in violation of the PDP constitution and internal regulations.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the decision on March 9, prompting the PDP to appeal.
The second appeal, SC/CV/166/2026, was filed by the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC).
It arose from a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which stopped the party from holding its Ibadan national convention.
The Court of Appeal upheld that decision, agreeing that INEC should not validate the outcome of the convention.
After hearing all arguments, the Supreme Court reserved judgment, stating that the date would be communicated to the parties.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lambasted the administration of President Bola Tinubu over insecurity bedeviling the country.
In an interview with News Central, Obasanjo said any government that cannot protect lives and property of its citizens has no basis to exist.
The former leader was reacting to the recent wave of insecurity, which has confronted Nigeria, resulting in the killing of several citizens and abduction of others.
“Let me tell you, the government that cannot give security of life and property of its citizen has no right of existence.
“The elected members of our National Assembly have no right to fix their own salary and their own emolument.
“It’s not in our constitution for them to do that. It’s the revenue mobilization and allocation commission that should do it,” he said.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has offered its presidential ticket to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections, signaling intensifying efforts to forge a united opposition as key political deadlines approach.
In a post on X on Sunday, the party indicated a two-week window for both politicians, currently linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to defect and secure its platform’s presidential ticket.
“All we need right now. Just all we need. Two weeks to deadline,” the NDC said, accompanying the message with an image of Obi and Kwankwaso and the caption: “Nigeria will be OK.”
The development comes amid renewed calls for opposition consolidation ahead of the next general elections. Supporters of both men recently launched the “OK Movement”, aimed at mobilising support for a possible joint ticket.
Organisers of the movement have begun setting up national, zonal and State structures, suggesting early groundwork for a broader political alliance.
However, the ADC is currently grappling with internal divisions that could affect its participation in the elections. The party is facing a leadership crisis, with competing factions contesting control of its structure.
The dispute is now before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which has reserved judgment in an appeal arising from the leadership tussle.
The uncertainty comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintains its timetable for the 2027 polls, setting May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers and nominate candidates.
Opposition parties, including factions of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have called for an extension of the timeline, arguing that the schedule is too tight given ongoing internal restructuring and legal disputes.
The NDC’s offer highlights the shifting dynamics within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where alliances remain fluid and negotiations are ongoing.
Both Obi and Kwankwaso are influential political figures with significant regional support bases, and any alignment between them could reshape the balance of power ahead of the elections.
INEC has yet to indicate whether it will adjust its timetable, as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
