FCT Polls: Residents show indifference as voting begins

As voting commenced across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), many residents, particularly in the city centre, appeared largely indifferent to the exercise.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had earlier declared a work-free day and announced a 22-hour restriction of movement ahead of the elections. In a special broadcast, the minister stated that movement within the territory would be restricted from 8:00 p.m. on Friday to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

However, vehicular and pedestrian movement remained largely unrestricted, especially within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), including along Airport Road through to Gwagwalada.

Some residents have said they were unaware of the elections taking place across the six Area Councils—Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

In contrast, there was relative compliance with the minister’s directive in Kwali and Abaji Area Councils, where many shops remained closed and voters were observed at polling units.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at Pilot Science Nursery and Primary School in Kwali Area Council, which hosts a cluster of polling units, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were on ground as early as 7:00 a.m. with election materials.

In Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, voting commenced at about 8:30 a.m., in line with INEC guidelines. Despite this, many shops were open and commercial activities continued, with free movement of transport operators.

Several Presiding Officers who spoke with Western Post said the electoral process had been hitch-free, noting that they experienced no logistical challenges from their respective Registration Area Centres (RACs).

Meanwhile, Yemi Yakubu, a tailor who owns a shop opposite her polling unit at Ushafa Clinic in Bwari, said she needed to complete pending work before stepping out to cast her vote.