- Stakeholders and party agents across various political lines have expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, praising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a transparent process.
- High-ranking members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) noted the timely arrival of sensitive materials and the efficient performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
- Security agencies were also commended for maintaining order and providing a safe environment for voters in various polling units across the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and satellite towns.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, have drawn significant commendation from political stakeholders who observed a marked improvement in the electoral process.
Eko Hot Blog reports that representatives from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) joined voices to laud the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the polls across several wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
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The atmosphere at various polling units was described as calm, with a notable absence of the logistical hurdles that often characterize Nigerian elections.
A prominent chieftain of the PDP and former Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Ibrahim Idris, expressed his satisfaction shortly after casting his vote.
Speaking to journalists at his polling unit, Idris remarked that the accreditation and voting process were seamless.
He specifically highlighted the early arrival of INEC officials and the prompt setup of polling stations, which allowed voters to exercise their franchise without unnecessary delays.
Idris noted that the transparency of the process would go a long way in strengthening the people’s confidence in democratic institutions at the local government level.
He urged the commission to maintain this standard in future elections to ensure that the will of the people is accurately reflected.
Similarly, the agent of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Hon. Tanko Yakasai, shared a positive assessment of the exercise at his designated polling station.
Yakasai emphasized that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned exceptionally well, with accreditation taking less than two minutes per voter.
He noted that the technical hitches previously associated with the device appeared to have been largely addressed, leading to a faster turnover of voters.
Yakasai also commended the security personnel deployed to the area, stating that their professional conduct helped to deter potential troublemakers and ensured that the elderly and physically challenged were given priority during the exercise.
Adding to the chorus of approval, the agent for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon. Aminu Mohammed, stated that the level of preparedness displayed by INEC was impressive.
Mohammed observed that the distribution of sensitive materials was handled with a high degree of accountability, and party agents were given adequate access to monitor the proceedings from the start.
He emphasized that the peace recorded during the voting phase was a testament to the collaborative efforts between the electoral commission, the security agencies, and the political parties.
According to him, the residents of Abuja turned out in respectable numbers, particularly in the satellite towns, demonstrating a keen interest in the governance of their local councils.
Beyond the logistical successes, the agents also pointed to the civil conduct of the electorate.
In areas such as Karu and Nyanya, voters were seen queuing in an orderly manner, strictly adhering to the instructions provided by the presiding officers.
The absence of “vote-buying” reports in the immediate vicinity of the monitored units was also cited as a positive development.
As the collation process begins across the various Area Councils, the stakeholders have urged INEC to ensure that the same level of transparency and efficiency is maintained until the final results are announced.
The consensus among these diverse political actors is that the 2026 FCT polls have set a benchmark for peaceful local government elections in the country.
