FCT Council Polls: Between Political Triumph and Democratic Questions

Nyesom Wike speaking during a broadcast on the outcome of the FCT area council elections in Abuja

The APC’s sweeping victory in the FCT area council elections has been hailed by Minister Nyesom Wike as proof of democratic renewal under President Bola Tinubu. However, critics argue the results raise deeper questions about political dominance, opposition strength, and the true state of democracy in Nigeria’s capital.

Kogi Central commence recall process of erstwhile favorite senator

Some registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District on Monday submitted a petition to commence the recall process of their erstwhile favourite Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The petition was submitted at Abuja headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The constituents, in a letter signed by the Lead Petitioner, Salihu Habib, declared that they no longer have confidence in Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan currently serving a 6-month suspension. In a sudden turn of events the registers voters said they no longer want Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as their senator and representative in the National Assembly. The petitioners, under the aegis of Concerned Kogi Youth and Women, urged INEC to act with urgency and impartiality in processing the petition. “We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian senate. “In particular, this petition for the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions,’’ the petitioners stated. They said that the petition arose from the constituents’ loss of confidence in the senator on grounds of gross misconduct in the senate, abuse of office, evasion of due process and lack of respect for the presiding officer. According to them, the petition was signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central senatorial district. “We hereby demand that INEC immediately commences the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant,’’ the petition stated. Speaking with the newsmen after the submission of the petition, the lead petitioner expressed confidence that the process would be the first successful recall process in Nigeria. “This will be the first recall that will be successful. The good people of Kogi Central have spoken with one voice. “It is simple; we need a credible representative; we need a credible senator who can speak the minds of the good people of Kogi Central,’’ he said. Habib denied the allegation that former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, was the one instigating the recall process. “ Bello is not here. Habib is here. Many youths are here. Many women are here. I can’t see Yahaya Bello here,’’ he said. A member of the group, Mrs Charity Omole, said that the entire people of Kogi Central senatorial district could not afford not to have a representative in the senate for the next six months. “ We have come to recall her so that we can have a representative in the senate because as a people, we cannot afford not to have a representative in the senate arm for another one year. “So we are here to tell INEC to please follow the constitutional process so that her recall process can begin; that is why we are here,’’ she said. Omole said that the group had more than the required number of petitioners to begin the recall process. She denied being bankrolled by anybody, saying: “We are the ones who voted her and we are saying we don’t want her anymore.’’ Another petitioner, Hamza Yakubu, urged INEC to speedily swing into action and review the petition submitted to it on the commencement of the recall process, in line with the provisions of the constitution. Yakubu also urged the people of the senatorial district to be calm as the recalling process continued. “My message to the people of Kogi Central is for us to begin to understand that politics and good governance are things that should be driven by logic and not emotion. “ We’ve seen a whole lot of things happening and we’ve seen the messages that are not appropriate that have been circulated. But the fact remains that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. “At the moment, what we are doing is what is right because we are doing what the constituents want from us; we are representing the constituents at the moment and what we are doing is right. “So for now, my message to our people is to be calm. This recall process will be successful, just as everybody anticipated,’’ Yakubu said. As at the time of filing this report, no official reaction had been made by INEC over the submission of the petition.

APGA Schedules Anambra Governorship Primary for April 5

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has fixed April 5, 2025, for its governorship primary election in Anambra State. This is in preparation for the main governorship election set for November 8, 2025. According to the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Ifeanyi Mbaeri, the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms will start on February 28. Aspirants interested in contesting under APGA will pay N5 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N25 million for the Nomination Form. However, a five percent discount has been approved for female aspirants and persons with disabilities. The primary election will take place at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where party members will gather for a special state congress. The screening of aspirants is scheduled for March 28 at APGA’s National Headquarters in Abuja. APGA has also released a provisional timetable for the entire election process. However, the party retains the right to adjust the dates if necessary. The decision aligns with the APGA Constitution and follows the timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the upcoming governorship election in Anambra.

INEC Releases Election Notice for FCT Council Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official election notice for the upcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The polls are scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026. According to the notice published on Wednesday, voting will begin at 8:30 a.m. across all polling units in the six area councils of the FCT. INEC confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used for voter identification and authentication. The commission stated that only registered voters with valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to participate in the election. Anyone without a PVC will not be permitted to vote. The election is expected to follow standard electoral guidelines, ensuring transparency and credibility in the process.

Reps Urge INEC to Conduct Bye-Elections for Vacant Seats

The House of Representatives has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize bye-elections for vacant seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly. This decision came after a motion was presented by Hon. Jafaru Leko, who represents the Dass, Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro federal constituency in Bauchi State.  Lawmakers also directed the Committee on Electoral Matters to look into the delay and invite INEC leaders to explain the situation. Leko pointed out that since the 2023 general elections, several seats have become vacant due to resignations, deaths, or appointments of former lawmakers to executive roles.  He referenced constitutional provisions that require INEC to conduct bye-elections within a month of any seat becoming vacant. Lawmakers expressed concerns that the delay in filling these seats is leaving some constituencies without representation, affecting legislative activities.  They warned that such delays go against democratic principles and could weaken the electoral system.

INEC Reveals Adamawa REC No Longer on Payroll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, is no longer receiving payments from the commission.   Yunusa-Ari was suspended in April 2023 after unlawfully declaring Aishatu Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner of the governorship election while vote collation was ongoing.  At the time, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leading.   READ ALSO: Breaking: Israeli parliament approves Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that Yunusa-Ari’s payments stopped in August 2023 when charges were filed against him.  The former REC was later arraigned in a Yola court following directives from former President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the case.   Prosecution efforts have reportedly faced setbacks due to the Nigeria Police Force’s failure to act on court orders. READ ALSO: Council Chairman pays WAEC fees for 1,794 students  Despite a bench warrant for Yunusa-Ari’s arrest, the police have not presented him in court.   INEC’s legal representative, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), expressed frustration, citing police inaction as a major obstacle.  Court orders have been ignored, hindering progress in the case and leaving the prosecution, judiciary, and INEC dissatisfied.

No Plan to Destroy Uncollected PVCs – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked claims that it plans to destroy over six million uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the report as false and urging the public to disregard it. In a statement issued on Sunday, the electoral body clarified that it never considered destroying uncollected PVCs from previous voter registrations. “Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the Commission is contemplating the destruction of over six million uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) going back to the 2015 voter registration,” INEC said. “The report is incorrect. At no time did the Commission contemplate the destruction of uncollected PVCs.” The clarification comes as the commission continues to explore ways to improve voter accreditation. In December 2024, INEC proposed introducing computer-generated slips to complement the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as a means of voter identification on election day. PLEASE READ: Tinubu Celebrates Restart of Port Harcourt Refinery, Urges Action on Others INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission would soon present its recommendations for electoral reform to the National Assembly. During the 2023 presidential election, INEC reported that 87.2 million PVCs had been collected across the country, representing 93.3 percent of registered voters. However, 6.26 million PVCs—accounting for 6.7 percent—remained uncollected. The commission reiterated that uncollected PVCs would be safely kept and made available to voters during future elections.

Court Orders Temporary Seizure of Funds Linked to Ex-INEC Official 

  A Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the interim seizure of $49,700 tied to Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  Ali, who served in Sokoto State during the 2023 general elections, became the focus of this order following suspicions of financial misconduct.   The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) filed the motion, alleging the funds were proceeds from illicit activities. READ ALSO: Gunmen Strike in Anambra, Seven Killed  During a search of Ali’s Kano residence, authorities reportedly uncovered the cash. Court documents suggested the money might have been obtained as bribes from political stakeholders during his INEC tenure.   The judge directed the funds be held in an escrow account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) while investigations continue.  Interested parties have been invited to provide evidence of legitimate ownership of the money.  The matter is scheduled for further hearing on March 31, 2025.