Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has set up a legal team to challenge the outcome of Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, alleging widespread irregularities.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared candidates of the All Progressives Congress winners in five of the six chairmanship seats — Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje — while the PDP secured victory in Gwagwalada.
In a statement Sunday, PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong said the party’s legal team, led by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, would contest the results. He congratulated the party’s winning candidates but alleged intimidation, vote-buying and interference by security personnel.
“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets at polling units, intimidate voters and unduly influence the outcome of the elections,” the statement said.
The elections, which filled six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats, were marked by low voter turnout and reports of vote-buying.
INEC said more than 239,000 voters participated, representing about 15% of the 1.68 million registered voters in the FCT. The commission acknowledged logistical challenges, including difficulty locating some polling units, but denied claims that voters were moved to new locations.
“Voters were not migrated,” INEC said, explaining that additional polling units were created in densely populated areas to reduce congestion.
The commission added that 93% of polling unit results had been uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal as of Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it arrested 20 suspects for alleged electoral offences, including vote-buying and obstruction of officials. The agency said it recovered more than 17 million naira during the operation.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the winners, urging them to serve with humility and describing their mandates as a “sacred trust.” He also praised INEC, security agencies and voters for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
Similarly, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda described the results as an endorsement of the government’s policies, while Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike said the outcome reflected public confidence in the administration.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, however, expressed concern over low voter turnout, describing it as evidence of declining public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process. He called for opposition parties to unite to protect democratic institutions.
Also reacting, PDP chieftain Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said the party’s performance signaled a resurgence ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite internal challenges.
