The APC posted early gains in the FCT council elections amid low voter turnout, vote buying allegations and a dispute between the ADC and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The All Progressives Congress recorded early leads in parts of the Federal Capital Territory during Saturday’s area council polls, according to results uploaded on INEC’s IReV portal. In Kwali and Kuje, the APC outpolled the PDP and other parties, while it also led in AMAC. However, voter apathy marred the exercise, with many polling units recording single- or double-digit turnout despite largely peaceful conditions.
Civil society groups cited administrative lapses and vote buying, with the Situation Room stating, “Vote buying was observed in many polling units visited. In some places, it was openly done.” The ADC accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of “direct interference” over his visits to polling units, but his aide, Lere Olayinka, insisted, “The minister is the chief security officer of the FCT. Therefore, he reserves the right to monitor the elections.”