Counting Of Votes Begins In FCT Area Council Elections Amid Allegations Of Vote-Buying

 The counting of votes has commenced across polling units in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the conclusion of voting in Saturday's Area Council elections, even as reports of alleged vote-buying surfaced in several locations during the day.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the polls on February 21, 2026, to elect chairmen and councillors for the six Area Councils: Abaji, Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. Over 1.68 million registered voters were eligible to participate at 2,822 polling units, with a total of 570 candidates vying for six chairmanship positions, six vice-chairmanship slots, and 62 councillorship seats.

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan expressed satisfaction with the overall conduct of the exercise earlier in the day, describing accreditation and voting as orderly, efficient, and largely peaceful in most areas. He inspected several polling units and reaffirmed the commission's commitment to electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), though he clarified that real-time transmission would not apply in this election due to specific provisions in the process. Party agents and observers from major contenders, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), set up situation rooms to monitor proceedings closely.

As collation began in various wards, party agents from opposition groups like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) raised fresh allegations of vote-buying in parts of Gwagwalada Area Council. At polling units such as Better Life, UBE, and Kotangora, agents claimed inducements ranging from ₦500 to ₦3,000 were offered to voters, with some pointing fingers at representatives of the ruling APC. Similar claims emerged in Nyanya within AMAC, where PDP and ADC agents accused APC intermediaries of approaching people in queues with cash offers of around ₦1,000 allegations that sparked brief tension but were rejected outright by those present.

In other incidents, an APGA chairmanship candidate in AMAC highlighted concerns over voter intimidation, missing result sheets in certain areas, and widespread apathy, particularly in Orozo, where "massive vote-buying" was alleged alongside threats to voters. INEC had issued strong pre-election warnings against such practices, mandating the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to deploy personnel for on-the-spot arrests. The chairman stressed that vote trading undermines democracy and erodes public trust, promising strict enforcement.

Despite these reports, many polling units saw smooth operations, with voters turning out to decide local leadership amid high stakes. The election serves as an early indicator of political strength ahead of the 2027 general polls, testing the APC's dominance in the FCT against challengers like the ADC, PDP, and others. Historical patterns show the APC and PDP alternating control in recent cycles, making today's outcome particularly watched.

INEC urged calm as counting progressed, encouraging aggrieved parties to channel complaints through official channels rather than confrontation. Security remained visible, and the commission activated its monitoring center to track developments. Final results are expected to be collated at ward and council levels before official declaration, with live updates anticipated from INEC and media outlets.

The process has drawn attention for being the first major test under recent electoral amendments, including the newly signed 2026 Electoral Act provisions. While some voters expressed frustrations over logistical hiccups like late material arrivals or name omissions on registers INEC maintained the exercise met acceptable standards in most places. As night falls, the focus shifts to collation centers, where transparency and adherence to procedure will determine public acceptance of the outcome.