Voters in Nigeria’s capital Abuja are preparing for a major local election scheduled for this Saturday, February 21st.
Other elections and by-elections are also taking place simultaneously around the country.
The polls come just a few days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the new Electoral Amendment Act into law.
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections are set to take place this Saturday, February 21st, with millions of registered voters expected to cast ballots across all six area councils.
The polls will elect six council chairpersons and 62 councillors under Nigeria’s new Electoral Act 2026 — making this contest a litmus test for the recently amended electoral framework.
To facilitate participation, the Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike has declared today, Friday, February 20th, a work-free day, and authorities have imposed a restriction of movement from Friday night into Saturday evening.
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Security has been heightened across the capital, with the Nigerian police and other agencies mobilised to ensure a peaceful vote.
Here in Abuja, electoral officials are finalising preparations at polling units. Independent National Electoral Commission officials have pledged the use of electronic result transmission technology for the first time in the FCT elections — part of efforts to boost transparency and public confidence.
Joining the FCT polls this weekend are a series of by-elections in other parts of Nigeria, as electoral authorities look to fill vacant seats in state legislatures. In Rivers and Kano states, voters will head to the polls in constituencies where seats were vacated due to resignation or other factors.
As millions across the country cast ballots, from local councils in Abuja to key constituencies in Rivers and Kano stated, democratic participation remains at the forefront of civic life.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
