(DDM) – Residents of the Federal Capital Territory defied the movement restriction order announced ahead of the Area Council elections, as vehicular and human activities continued across several parts of Abuja on Saturday morning.
The restriction had been linked to directives from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and security agencies, who earlier announced measures aimed at ensuring order during the polls.
Despite the directive, commercial vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles were seen transporting passengers freely across various districts within the capital city.
At Airport Road, Jikwoyi, Nyanya, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and parts of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), traffic moved without noticeable barricades or checkpoints hindering motorists.
Commuters and transport operators appeared to go about their normal routines, with only minimal signs of enforcement in some locations.
However, along the Kubwa-Nyanya highway, security personnel were observed blocking sections of the road with trucks, compelling motorists to maneuver through a single available lane while navigating around the military presence.
The mixed enforcement created contrasting scenes across the city, with some routes experiencing uninterrupted movement and others subject to partial restrictions.
While traffic flowed in many areas, most businesses remained closed in compliance with the electoral exercise.
Shops were largely locked, and commercial centers appeared quiet, although a few shop owners, laundry operators, and Point of Sale service providers operated discreetly along parts of Airport Road.
At about 8:10 a.m., electoral materials were being transported from the Kuje central distribution centre located at Science Primary School to various polling units within the area council.
In Aleyita, along Airport Road, polling units appeared largely deserted in the early hours, with only a limited presence of security personnel.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had yet to arrive at some polling units as of that time.
By approximately 8:26 a.m., only five individuals were present at the polling centre in Aleyita, including two political party agents.
One voter, Mr. Andrew James, expressed disappointment over the delay, stating that he arrived at his polling unit as early as 7:00 a.m. but met no INEC officials on ground to commence accreditation and voting.
He further noted that all six polling units within the community had been collapsed into LEA Primary School in Aleyita for convenience.
At Pilot Science Primary School in Kwali, voting had not begun as of 8:33 a.m., though INEC officials were reportedly briefing party agents on election guidelines in preparation for the process.
The early developments reflect logistical and compliance challenges as the FCT Area Council elections unfold, with authorities expected to provide further updates as the day progresses.
