The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described Saturday’s Area Council elections across the territory as peaceful, though he acknowledged low voter turnout in parts of the capital, particularly within the city centre.
The elections were conducted across the six area councils of the FCT — Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Abaji and Kwali — under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking to journalists after monitoring polling units in parts of the territory, Wike attributed the calm atmosphere to the deployment and coordination of security agencies.
“We thank God that everywhere is peaceful. The challenge we have is low voter turnout, particularly in the city centre, and that has always been the case. But going round to some of the satellite towns, we could see that the turnout is quite impressive.
“It is unfortunate in the city that you have a very low turnout, but in an off-cycle election like this, it is always the case. What is important is that the election is peaceful, no violence,” he said.
The Minister added that security operatives performed creditably during the exercise, stressing that there were no “reports of violence.”
According to him, maintaining law and order remained the authorities’ primary objective.
The polls were preceded by a movement restriction order issued earlier in the week, which drew criticism from some political figures and civil society observers.
Responding to remarks by Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the FCT, who had alleged insufficient consultation before the restriction was announced, Wike dismissed suggestions that he personally imposed a curfew.
“It is very unfortunate. She should have read my statement carefully. I never imposed a curfew. I said Mr President has said from 8:00 p.m. on Friday to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, that movement will be restricted, and this is not the first time,” he said.
According to security authorities, the restriction was intended to prevent disruptions and ensure the safe conduct of the elections.
However, field reports indicated that compliance was uneven in several districts.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that commercial buses, tricycles and motorcycles operated in parts of the territory without visible hindrance. In some city districts, business activities were partially ongoing, although security personnel maintained checkpoints at strategic locations.
Observers noted that voter turnout was low in central Abuja, especially in AMAC, which traditionally records lower participation in local government elections. By contrast, several satellite communities in Gwagwalada, Kuje and Bwari reportedly experienced steadier flows of voters.
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