Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday headed to the polls to elect chairmen and councillors who will administer the territory’s six Area Councils.
Unlike the 36 states, where similar exercises are known as local government elections, the polls in the FCT are referred to as Area Council elections. The FCT is administered by a minister appointed by the President, while the states operate under elected governors and state assemblies.
Area councils represent the closest tier of government to the people, delivering essential services such as water supply, sanitation, local roads, primary education and healthcare. Their decisions are therefore directly felt in the daily lives of residents at the grassroots.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting the elections across 2,822 polling units in 62 wards spread over the six area councils — Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
The last Area Council elections were held on 12 February 2022, producing a split result: three councils were won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and three by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to INEC’s list of candidates, only three women are contesting for chairmanship positions across the six councils, 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 as its only female contender. No woman is contesting for chairmanship in Bwari, Gwagwalada or Kwali.
Female participation is comparatively higher in the vice-chairmanship race, with several political parties fielding women as running mates.
As INEC declared its readiness for the elections, streets, markets and community halls across the territory buzzed with anticipation. Security operatives were also deployed across the nation’s capital to maintain order.
Call for orderly conduct
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu called for peaceful and orderly conduct during Saturday’s elections in the FCT, as well as in Kano and Rivers states.
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President urged security agencies to exercise restraint and tasked INEC with strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
He encouraged eligible voters to cast their ballots without fear, stressing that democracy thrives in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and mutual respect. Tinubu also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid violence, inflammatory rhetoric and any actions that could undermine the credibility of the polls.
The President warned security agencies against high-handedness, intimidation or conduct that could disenfranchise voters or erode public trust, emphasising that their role is to protect lives and property while safeguarding the integrity of the ballot.
Movement restrictions
On Thursday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, declared Friday a work-free day and announced a restriction of movement from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday to ensure a smooth electoral process.
In a special broadcast on national television and radio, Wike urged residents to come out en masse to vote, describing the election as a crucial opportunity to shape the future of the FCT.
He called on voters to conduct themselves in an orderly and lawful manner, respect the rules and accept the outcome of the elections.
“With the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I hereby declare Friday, February 20, 2026, a work-free day to enable residents to travel to their communities to participate in the elections,” he said.
The minister added that the President had also approved the restriction of movement within the FCT during the specified period and directed security agencies to ensure strict compliance.
Wike further commended the President for signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting free, fair and transparent elections.
He urged residents to make their voices heard at the polls and expressed hope that the elections would produce capable leaders committed to the development, peace and prosperity of the FCT.
