#FCTDecides2026: APC, PDP, ADC, others jostle for elective positions in Nigeria’s capital (LIVE UPDATES)
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will go to the polls today to elect the leadership of its six area councils. The area councils are Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Kuje and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). About 637 candidates from 17 political parties are jostling for the 68 positions – 62 councillors and six area council chairpersons. Five of the area councils have 10 wards each, while AMAC has 12. There are 1,680,315 registered voters in the territory but 1,587,025, who collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), are expected to vote across 2,822 polling units in the six area councils, supported by 4,345 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines. As part of its preparation for today’s election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on 7 February, conducted a mock election in 289 selected polling units across the territory. The commission said it was aimed at testing its operational preparedness, especially the performance of the BVAS, ahead of the main election. At the end of the exercise, Mr Amupitan said, “So far, I am very satisfied that the BVAS has worked excellently. It took just five seconds or less to accredit a voter.” Seventeen of the 19 registered political parties are presenting candidates in today’s election. Among the major parties participating are the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Labour Party (LP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In the 2022 election, the APC won the chairmanship of three area councils while the PDP won in the remaining three. Of the six chairmen elected that year, only two – Christopher Maikalangu of AMAC and Abubakar Abdullahi of Abaji Area Council – are seeking re-election this year. According to Mr Amupitan, over 83 domestic and five foreign observers, as well as several media organisations, have been accredited for the polls. READ ALSO: FCT Council Elections: Two chairpersons seek re-election Also, several security agencies have deployed their personnel to ensure a smooth and secure exercise. The police have reportedly deployed 25,000 personnel across the territory, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has mobilised 4,000. The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, in a special broadcast on Thursday, said movement within the FCT would be restricted from 8 p.m. on Friday, 20 February, to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 21 February, the Election Day. He said the exercise would offer residents “a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our great Federal Capital Territory.” PREMIUM TIMES has deployed its journalists in all parts of the nation’s capital to observe the elections and will bring you live updates of the process. Also, follow us on our Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts. 07:30 a.m City Centre, GSS, Garki Area 10— Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials has commenced. Dozens of minibuses have started transporting materials to various polling units in the city centres. Some of the INEC Ad Hoc staff were heard saying they are still waiting for vehicles to convey them. 07:30 A.M. City Centre, GSS, Garki Area 10— Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials has commenced. 07:30 A.M. City Centre, GSS, Garki Area 10— Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials has commenced. Police officers are stationed around the premises of the RAC centre, while some are assigned to the shuttles conveying the materials as they depart the centre. 7:53 a.m. Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC) A heavy security presence is noticed across major streets/roads within the City centre of Garki axis. Motorists conveying passengers are being asked to return. Major roads within the area and the Central Business District are deserted. Heavily armed policemen were seen trying to enforce movement restrictions as voting was about to commence. Some of the police men were heard saying that only people going to vote would be allowed passage. 8:02 p.m. Area Council: Bwari Registration Area: Bwari Central Ward Polling Unit: Sagwari Extension by customary court security gate II Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security personnel are on ground at the polling unit. Party agents are yet to arrive. 8:03 a.m. Municipal, City Centre, Area 1, polling unit 1, Area 1 secondary school. The presiding officers were seen setting up the voting booths. Policemen and Civil Defence officials were seen stationed strategically within the premises. 8:08 a.m. Election officials picking up sensitive materials at a RAC centre at the Science Primary School, Kuje-Abuja. Several sets of election officials are seen moving sensitive materials to polling units in tricycles. 8:12 a.m. Central Primary School, beside Block D, PU, Kuje RA, Kuje Area Council: There are three polling units within the school premises. It also serves as an RAC centre. The polling units are setting up the voting area ahead of the voting exercise. Election officials setting up voting area ahead of the voting exercise. 8:20 a.m. Area Council: Bwari Registration Area: Dutse Alhaji Polling Unit: Sagwari Primary School, Makaranta II Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were sighted at the polling unit as preparations continued ahead of accreditation and voting. Voters were also seen around the premises waiting for the commencement of the exercise. 8:20 a.m. Abuja Municipal, City Centre. Several Ad-hoc officials conveying sensitive and non-sensitive materials have missed their way. While voting is expected to commence by 8:30 a.m. across all polling booths, the officials are still struggling to locate their polling spots 8:20a.m. Residents defy the restriction of movement as some went about their day. In the Kuje Area Council of the FCT, our reporter observed several motorcycles, some of them carrying passengers, riding around. Several shops and businesses are also open. 8:34 a.m. Area Council: Bwari Registration Area: Dutse Alhaji Polling Unit: 056, Sagwari/Baupma Village/Sagwari Primary School II Ad hoc staff said they arrived at the polling unit at about 7:00 a.m However, voter turnout remains low as of the time of filing this report. 8:34 a.m. AMAC, City Centre, Area 1 Junior Secondary School. The presiding officers of the six polling booths at this centre are still struggling to set up. Security officials are within the premises. The list of accredited voters is being pasted on the walls. Voting is yet to commence. 8:40 a.m. PU001, Kuje Central Primary School1; RA:01, Kuje Area Council: Kuje Voting commenced around 8:30 a.m. and the first voter cast his vote at 8:38 a.m. At least 10 voters are in the queue. 8:45 a.m. Area Council: Bwari Registration Area: Dutse Alhaji Polling Unit: 056, Sagwari/Baupma Village/Sagwari Primary School II Voters are trickling in, with a few checking their names on the voter register. Turnout remains low. 8:45 a.m. Voters are undergoing the accreditation process with BVAS at PU 013, Sabon Tasha New Development, Abaji Area Council. There is a large voter turnout in this polling unit. Many are in the queue waiting to be accredited. Security personnel are also present to monitor the process. Voters are undergoing the accreditation process with BVAS at PU 013, Sabon Tasha New Development, Abaji Area Council. 08:57 a.m. AMAC, City Centre. Park and Gardens PU:005. Voting is about to commence. The presiding officer said they are commencing the exercise a bit late due to logistical challenges. Accredited voters are seated around the polling booth waiting for them to be captured with the BVAS machine. 9:01 a.m: PU01: Grade 1 Area Court, RA: Kuje Area Council: Kuje There are 22 male and female voters in the queue waiting to vote. More people are checking their names on the voters’ register. Accreditation of voters already commenced. Only one police officer was sighted at this polling unit. 9:01am: PU01: Grade 1 Area Court, RA: Kuje Area Council: Kuje 9:04 a.m. Kwali, PU Rugan Fulani 006, RA Ward Central Kwali. The election has begun. Over 100 people are already in the queue, while others are checking the voter list posted on the wall, with one police officer on site. Most of the population is married men and women, with a few youth. 9.05 a.m. PU 013 Sabon Tasha New Development Abaji Area Council Some voters are checking their details on the registration list, while several others are already in the queue. There is a large voter turnout in this polling unit. 9.06 a.m. Polling Unit: UBE II, 031 UBE Primary School Kutunku, Voting commenced at this polling unit, but the turnout is low. Security operatives are on the ground. 9:07 a.m. UBE Primary School, Kutunku II V, Gwagwalada. Voters are checking their valid registration details. Observers and party agents are on the ground. UBE Primary School, Kutunku II V, Gwagwalada. 9:08 a.m. PU 10 AMAC, City Centre, Area 2. The Ad-hoc officials are just pasting the list of accredited voters on the wall. One of the officials said they are starting the exercise late because they got lost several times on their way to the centre. 9:12 a.m. PU 002, Kwali Ward, Pilot Science Primary School Kwali Area Council. There is a high voter turnout with over 100 voters, and about six security agents on the ground. Everywhere is calm, and voting is in progress. 9: 13 a.m. PU 013 Sabon Tasha, New Development, Abaji Area Council. Two people were seen using one space of the voting cubicle while casting their votes. Two people using one space 09:14 a.m PU 011 AMAC, City Centre, Area 2, Garki, Voting has just commenced. Some registered voters have queued up. The Presiding Officer of the polling unit, Mabel, said she is expecting 863 registered voters. However, only four are seen in the queue at this time. She said they have set up the voting booth since 8:30 a.m, but that they have been waiting for voters to arrive. Voting has just commenced at AMAC, City Centre, Area 2., PU: 011 9:21 a.m Polling Unit 001 Kutunku Primary School, Gwagwalada Area Council Voter turnout is high. Voters are patiently waiting in the queue to cast their votes, while others are checking their valid registration details. Some voters are complaining of not seeing their details on the register. A party agent directed a woman to check her details in another polling unit within the same premises. Polling unit: Kutunku Primary School, Gwagwalada Area CouncilVoter turnout is high. Voters are patiently waiting on the queue to cast their votes Polling unit: Kutunku Primary School, Gwagwalada Area CouncilVoter turnout is high. Voters are patiently waiting on the queue to cast their votes 09:23 a.m. PU: 067 AMAC, City Centre, Area 2, Garki Voting is yet to commence at this polling unit. The presiding officer, Afuye Olamilekan, said they had arrived since 8:30 a.m. However, he said they are commencing late because they were not provided with a canopy to set up the voting booth. They had to wait for the canopy to arrive. The polling unit has only 13 registered voters. No voter is around at this time. Voting is yet to commence at this polling unit. The presiding officer, Afuye Olamilekan, said they had arrived since 8:30 a.m. 9:25 a.m. PU: Tukpechi Primary Healthcare RA: Kuje Area Council: Kuje Fifteen people are already in the queue as accreditation and voting begin. There are three security officials: one NSCDC official and two National Correctional Service personnel. 9:28 a.m. PU 002 Pilot Science Nursery and Primary School Kwali Ward Kwali Area Council Some voters at Kwali polling units are finding it difficult to locate their names on the voter lists, despite being willing to vote. INEC technical support staff said the issue arose because, after registration, some heavily populated polling units were divided, with parts of their voters moved to less crowded units. As a result, voters have to check multiple lists to confirm where they are assigned to vote. A PDP party agent said the names were pasted in different locations, so voters should keep checking the various lists to know where they are meant to vote. One voter, Juma Bako, said she was unhappy because she could not do what others around her were doing. Despite these challenges, voting is ongoing at several units, with security present and accreditation going on smoothly in most areas. 9:30 a.m. PU 003 UNG Ayaura Area Abaji Area Council Some voters are checking their details on the register, while several others are already in the queue. UNG Ayaura Area, Abaji Area Council 9:32 a.m. PU 066 City Centre, Area 2, Garki AMAC. Voting is about to commence. The Presiding Officer, Nice, and her assistant, Michael, are sensitising registered voters at the unit on the voting procedure. They said they arrived at the location before 8:30 a.m., but voters only began arriving shortly afterwards. The polling unit has a list of 30 registered voters pasted on the wall. 9:39 a.m. PU 010 UNG Ayaura Area Abaji Area Council Voting has commenced here. There is a large voter turnout in this polling unit. Security personnel, including the State Security Service, military personnel and the police, are monitoring the process. Large voter turnout Large voter turnout Time: 9:45 a.m. PU: 001 Ushafa I & II, Ushafa Primary School Bwari Area Council A former APC chairmanship aspirant in Bwari Area Council, Haruna Audi, who was substituted with Joshua Ishaku as the party’s candidate, cast his vote at this polling unit. He said the process was peaceful but lamented the low turnout of voters, attributing it to dissatisfaction over what he described as imposition within the party. Despite his replacement, he stated that he remained loyal to the APC and came out to support the party and its leadership. He expressed satisfaction with the procedure, stating that accreditation and voting were seamless and took only a few minutes, reflecting improvement compared to past exercises. At 9:50 a.m. PU 012 Kwali Primary School 11 Kwali Area Council. Some men, said to be members of the APC, were observed recording names on paper and distributing sachet water to voters in the queue. Time: 9:45 a.m. PU: 001 Ushafa I & II, Ushafa Primary School Bwari Area Council A former APC chairmanship aspirant in Bwari Area Council, Haruna Audi, who was substituted with Joshua Ishaku as the party’s candidate, cast his vote at this polling unit. He said the process was peaceful but lamented the low turnout of voters, attributing it to dissatisfaction over what he described as imposition within the party. Despite his replacement, he stated that he remained loyal to the APC and came out to support the party and its leadership. He expressed satisfaction with the procedure, stating that accreditation and voting were seamless and took only a few minutes, reflecting improvement compared to past exercises. Ushafa I & II, Ushafa Primary School 9:45 a.m. PU 011 Ayaura/Gidan in Abaji North-west Ward Area Abaji Area Council There is a large voter turnout in this polling unit. Voting has commenced. Large voter turnout at PU 011, Ayaura/Gidan 9:54 a.m. PU 012 Ayaura/IV (UNG) in Abaji North-east ward Abaji Area Council. Some voters are checking their details on the registration list while several others are already in the queue. There is also a large voter turnout in this polling unit. Voters checking details 9:57 a.m. City Centre, Area 2, Garki AMAC Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) were spotted monitoring the voting process. 9:32 a.m PU: Tukpechi Primary Healthcare RA: Kuje Kuje Area Council A voter, Danladi Musa, said he came out to vote for a candidate who would help pay his primary school teacher’s arrears. Mr Musa, who teaches at an LEA Primary School in Kuje, said he had been owed arrears for more than a year and he intends to vote for a leader who will change that. “I want a leader who will help pay my arrears. Someone who would pay what is entitled to us,” he said. “That’s why I am here to vote.” At the same polling unit, a pregnant Atamache Dauda said she came out to vote for a candidate who would provide water and doctors for the health centres. Mrs Dauda said her preferred candidate had promised to provide water, more health workers and secure jobs for indigenous youths and women. “I came to vote for who my choice is, and I came to vote so that our community and everything we want will be done,” she said. Tukpechi Primary Healthcare Polling Unit, Kuje. 9:59 a.m PU 009 Gado Nasko Primary School II Phase 1 Gwagwalada Area Council Voting is on; some voters have challenges in locating their registration details. Party agents are helping them locate their names. Voter turnout is high. High voter turnout at Phase I/Gado Nasko Primary School, Gwagwalada Area Council. 10:00 a.m. PU 001 Ushafa I & II, Ushafa Primary School Bwari Area Council More than 100 voters were observed in a queue awaiting accreditation and voting as turnout improved at the polling unit. Meanwhile, a party agent was overheard persuading a voter to cast their ballot for the APC. Ushafa I & II, Ushafa Primary School 10: 18 a.m. PU 018, LEA Primary School, Kilankwa Ward Kwali Area Council Electoral officers are seated with no voting activity as of the time of observation. Officials said only one person had voted so far. PDP and ADC agents are also present, waiting for voters to arrive. A community member said low turnout was due to confusion over the voter register. According to the resident, many people could not find their names on the list and described the way INEC arranged the register as confusing. PU 004, LEA Primary School, Kilankwa Ward, Kwali Area Council 10:19 a.m PU 006 National Library Axis Area 2, Garki AMAC. Bankole Aramide, 68, and Justina Nwosu, 60, sit quietly in front of the makeshift canopy waiting patiently to cast their ballots. Both had already been accredited by election officials and said they were determined to participate despite their age. “We came out to vote because we want things to be better,” said Mrs Nwosu, a widow. Her voice was firm but hopeful. Similarly, Mrs Aramide, a retiree, said she came to vote for the right candidate because she wants things to be well. For the pair, the exercise was more than a routine civic duty — they believe their votes still count in shaping leadership at the grassroots level. 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