Low Voter Turnout Shadows FCT Area Council Elections as Peaceful Voting Prevails in Bwari

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) turned out in low numbers for the Area Council elections held on Saturday, February 21, with reports indicating a generally peaceful process across the six councils despite operational hiccups in some areas. NaijaChoice News gathered that while voter apathy remained a dominant theme, pockets of credible and transparent exercises offered a glimmer of hope for Nigeria’s democratic process.

The elections, which saw over 1.6 million registered voters eligible to elect six chairmen and 62 councillors, recorded dismal participation rates, echoing patterns from previous cycles. In many polling units, turnout hovered below 10%, with urban centers particularly affected by low engagement. Observers from groups like Yiaga Africa noted late openings, missing materials, and instances of vote buying, though the overall atmosphere stayed calm.

One voter in Dutse Alhaji, under the Bwari Area Council, shared a reflective account of the day with NaijaChoice News. Arriving shortly after 10 a.m., the voter described an unusually serene environment, far removed from the bustling crowds of past elections. “It almost felt as though nothing significant was happening,” the voter recounted. Out of 133 registered voters at the unit, only 14 showed up to cast their ballots, underscoring the widespread apathy plaguing the polls.

Despite the sparse attendance, the process unfolded without incident. Security personnel were on hand but had little to intervene in, as there was no tension, conflict, or disruption. The voter collected ballot papers for both the chairmanship and councillorship positions and voted freely for preferred candidates. “There was no harassment, no intimidation, and no pressure from anyone,” the voter emphasized. Political party agents behaved responsibly, refraining from influencing voters, and there were no signs of vote buying—a common concern in Nigerian elections.

A standout aspect was the professionalism of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc staff. They maintained transparency throughout, displaying each step openly. After voting ended, results were entered and transmitted online in the presence of observers, fostering a sense of credibility. In this particular unit, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) emerged victorious in the councillorship race, a result the voter hailed as evidence that citizens can still exercise independent choice without inducements or heavy campaigning. This outcome contrasts with some reported wins for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) in other units, such as APC’s victory in Pu 109 Alaiyta with 29 votes out of 49 cast, and ADC’s win in polling unit 076, Sani Abacha Estate.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who monitored several polling units including those in Garki, Karu, and Ketti, commended the peaceful conduct and noted stronger turnout in satellite towns compared to the city center. However, challenges persisted elsewhere, with reports of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) malfunctions causing delays and allegations of results not appearing on INEC’s IReV portal. INEC has begun uploading results to the portal, with collations ongoing in areas like Abaji, Bwari, and Kwali.

The voter in Bwari expressed optimism that free and fair elections could rebuild public trust but voiced concerns over potential alterations during collation. “My only hope is that the results remain intact through the collation process and are not altered at the collection center,” the voter said. This sentiment aligns with broader calls from civil society, such as the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), urging residents to combat apathy and strengthen local governance.

As results trickle in, NaijaChoice News will continue monitoring developments. The low turnout—estimated at around 9% based on historical data and early observations—raises questions about citizen engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections. For now, the FCT’s quiet election day stands as a testament to what credible polls can look like when unmarred by violence.