The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Saturday conduct the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, marking its first major electoral outing under the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.
The exercise, alongside scheduled bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states, is being closely watched as an early test of the revised legal framework signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed that 1,680,315 registered voters are expected to participate in the FCT polls. Voting will take place across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils of the territory.
The FCT elections are unique in Nigeria’s electoral architecture, as they remain the only local government-level polls directly conducted by INEC. In other states, such elections are overseen by state electoral commissions. Political observers say the FCT vote will serve as a strategic rehearsal for the 2027 nationwide contest.
In addition to the FCT elections, INEC will conduct bye-elections in Rivers State for the Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies, as well as in Kano State for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State constituencies.
Technology Backed by Law
A central feature of the Electoral Act 2026 is the formal entrenchment of technological tools designed to strengthen electoral transparency. The law now provides statutory backing for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV), innovations introduced in previous election cycles.
With both platforms now reinforced by legislation, INEC is expected to deploy them fully during Saturday’s polls, making the exercise a critical operational test under the new legal regime.
Movement Restrictions, Work-Free Day
Ahead of the elections, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared a work-free day and announced a restriction of movement across the territory.
In a broadcast delivered by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike said the work-free day was approved by President Tinubu to enable residents travel to their communities and participate in the elections.
He also announced that movement within the FCT would be restricted from 8 p.m. on February 20 to 6 p.m. on February 21, 2026, directing security agencies to enforce strict compliance.
Call for Peaceful Participation
Describing the polls as pivotal to grassroots governance, Wike urged residents to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly.
He noted that the election of chairmen and councillors for the six Area Councils presents a vital opportunity to shape development at the local level.
“We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum,” the minister said.
Wike also commended President Tinubu for assenting to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, describing it as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to credible elections.
Encouraging strong voter turnout, the minister called on residents to seize the opportunity to elect leaders who would promote development, peace and prosperity in the FCT.
As INEC prepares to manage simultaneous elections under the revised law, attention will focus on voter turnout, technological performance and overall compliance with the new statutory provisions—factors likely to shape confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
