The elections in FCT, Rivers and Kano

The recent area council elections held on February 21 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states witnessed general apathy, glitches, logistics challenges, vote-buying and violence. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won five of the six area councils in the FCT, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won one area council. Specifically, the APC won Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Kwali, Kuje, Bwari and Abaji while the PDP won Gwagwalada.

Although the Abuja area council election was relatively peaceful, it was also marred by voter apathy, logistical failures, technical malfunctions and other challenges. At the same time, the turnout of voters in many parts of the city was abysmal. While some markets were closed, many people opened their businesses. The APC chieftains hailed the outcome of the polls in Abuja, and the by-elections in Rivers and Kano states and said that they have further strengthened democratic culture and institutions in the country. For instance, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the victories of the party in FCT and the by-elections in Kano and Rivers states as a clear testament to the resilience, unity and grassroots strength of the party. However, the opposition did not applaud the outcome of the polls. For example, the chairmanship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul, did not concede defeat, citing electoral irregularities.

In the same vein, the National Treasurer of the ADC, Mani Ahmed, reiterated that the outcome of the polls and the by-elections in Kano and Rivers states could not be used to measure results in the 2027 polls. Apart from opposition parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders and other stakeholders have expressed worries over increasing voter apathy and deepening distrust in our electoral system.

In Rivers State, the APC won the two state constituencies, the Ahoada II and Khana II. Although some APC party agents reported that the election was free and fair, there were widespread cases of voter intimidation, vote-buying, violence and voter apathy.

In Kano State, the APC also won the two State House of Assembly seats in Ungogo and Kano Municipal State Assembly Constituencies made vacant by the death of former occupants. Also, there were reports of voter apathy and intimidation, which forced the opposition candidates to lose potential votes.

The police and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested some persons with a huge amount of money meant for vote-buying. However, the heavy deployment of security did not mitigate other forms of electoral malpractices. This is not good for democracy. Those arrested for electoral offences should be timely prosecuted. Such matters should not be waved aside.

While we condemn the voter apathy, vote-buying and voter intimidation that marred the poll in Abuja, Kano and Rivers, we urge the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to use other coming elections to correct the lapses that trailed the elections in Abuja, Kano and Rivers states. The issue of vote-buying voter intimidation and voter apathy must be squarely addressed before Nigerians lose confidence in our electoral system.

If our votes cannot count, there will be no hope for 2027. Technical glitches noticed during the Abuja, Kano and Rivers states elections must be corrected too before the 2027 elections. There should be a level playing ground for all the political parties and their candidates during elections.

INEC should be allowed to be truly independent in the conduct of elections in the country. If the independence of the electoral umpire cannot be guaranteed, the outcome of our elections will not be generally acceptable. The 2027 poll is a make or mar one for Nigeria. That is why the federal government must ensure that it is free, fair and credible.

Besides, there is need for voter education. Let political parties educate their members on how to conduct themselves during elections. We urge INEC to embark on training and retraining of its staff, including ad hoc election workers. Amupitan and his team should really work hard to deliver an election which will be fair, free and credible. Instructively, he has promised to conduct the best election in the history of the country. He should just to do so. Nigerians are watching. The global community is watching too.