By Swill Mavua
Today, February 21, 2026, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, goes to the polls for the Area Council elections. Residents across the six councils — Abaji, Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali — are electing chairmen and councillors in what many see as far more than a routine local contest. This election stands as a critical early test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amid heightened anticipation, reports have swirled of unusual challenges on election day. Concerns arose over a planned power maintenance by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), which could have plunged parts of the territory into darkness — conveniently timed with voting. Public outcry led to its postponement, but suspicions linger about motives, with some viewing it as an attempt to hinder voter turnout or disrupt the process in a city where federal influence looms large.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike — a figure without formal party affiliation yet deeply aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) — has been vocal and active. He has publicly declared support for candidates backing President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, framing the polls as a loyalty litmus test. Critics accuse him of deploying tactics reminiscent of his Rivers State playbook, including alleged “rigging machinery” that purportedly influenced the 2023 presidential results there — flipping outcomes in favor of Tinubu over Peter Obi. Allegations persist that similar efforts are underway in Abuja, with claims of imported operatives and intimidation to engineer an APC sweep, despite widespread resident discontent with the federal government.
These accusations paint a picture of high-stakes political maneuvering: Is this about demonstrating unyielding loyalty to the president, or showcasing the power to bend electoral outcomes to the will of the elite? In a territory that leaned heavily opposition in 2023, any perceived manipulation would fuel deeper distrust.
At the heart of it all lies the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under its new chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN. Conducting these polls — alongside bye-elections elsewhere — marks the first major deployment of the updated Electoral Act 2026. Nigerians watch intently: Will INEC uphold transparency, resist external pressures, and deliver credible results? Or will the status quo prevail, allowing powerful interests to overshadow the people’s voice?
As ballots are cast and counted, Abuja’s election transcends local governance. It probes the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy — whether votes truly count, or whether power, loyalty, and alleged machinery dictate outcomes. The eyes of the nation remain fixed, waiting to see if this day strengthens faith in the system or deepens the scars of skepticism.
The Straight Talk.
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