(DDM) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded 2,602 out of 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as of 5:55 a.m. on Sunday.

The figure represents an overall upload rate of 92.2 percent across the six area councils in Abuja.

In absolute numbers, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) recorded the highest volume of uploaded results.

Out of 1,401 expected polling unit results in AMAC, 1,309 had been successfully uploaded, translating to a 93.43 percent completion rate.

Within AMAC, several wards posted notable upload levels.

Wuse (Ward 04) recorded 170 out of 175 results uploaded.

Gwarinpa (Ward 05) posted 185 of 199 results.

Garki (Ward 02) had 155 of 171 results uploaded.

City Centre (Ward 01) recorded 135 of 151 results.

Other wards including Kabusa, Karu, Nyanya, Jiwa, Gwagwa, Orozo, Gui, and Karshi also reported high levels of result uploads.

Gwagwalada Area Council achieved the highest upload rate among the six councils.

Out of 338 expected results, 330 were uploaded, reflecting a 97.63 percent completion rate.

Wards with full uploads in Gwagwalada include Gwagwalada Centre (Ward 01), Kutunku (Ward 02), Dobi (Ward 05), Zuba (Ward 08), and Ikwa (Ward 09).

Partial uploads were recorded in Tungan Maje, where 31 of 34 results were uploaded, and Gwakọ, with 30 of 32 results available at the time of reporting.

In Bwari Area Council, 463 of 485 expected results had been uploaded, representing a 95.46 percent rate.

Bwari Central, Shere, Igu, and Ushafa were among wards that achieved complete uploads.

Abaji Area Council recorded 129 of 135 results uploaded, amounting to a 95.56 percent completion rate.

Fully uploaded wards in Abaji include Abaji Central, Gawu, Abaji South East, Yaba, and Abaji North East.

Kwali Area Council recorded 164 of 201 results uploaded, representing 81.59 percent.

Gumbo, Yangoji, and Kwali Ward achieved full uploads, while other wards were still pending.

Kuje Area Council recorded the lowest upload rate among the six councils.

Out of 262 expected results, 207 had been uploaded, reflecting a 79.01 percent completion rate.

Notably, Kabi Ward (Ward 05) in Kuje had no results uploaded at the time of reporting.

The steady upload of results onto IReV forms part of INEC’s transparency measures aimed at enhancing public confidence in the electoral process.

(DDM) – The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Kasim, has emerged winner of the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election conducted across the Federal Capital Territory.

Kasim secured a total of 22,165 votes to defeat other contenders in the closely watched local government poll.

His closest rival, Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 17,788 votes.

The result was officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, who described the election as peaceful and orderly.

INEC conducted the elections across the six area councils of the FCT, namely Gwagwalada, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Kwali, Kuje, and Bwari.

The elections covered both chairmanship and councillorship positions.

In Gwagwalada, the total number of registered voters stood at 207,577.

Out of this figure, 46,294 voters were accredited to participate in the chairmanship contest.

The total number of valid votes recorded was 43,960, while 1,521 ballots were rejected.

A breakdown of results from the chairmanship contest shows that aside from the PDP’s 22,165 votes and APC’s 17,788 votes, other parties recorded lower figures.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 1,366 votes.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 1,687 votes.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) garnered 432 votes.

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) received 158 votes, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) recorded 175 votes.

Other political parties scored marginal figures ranging between 24 and 151 votes.

Kasim’s campaign manifesto reportedly focused on community welfare, women’s empowerment, improved healthcare services, and enhanced educational opportunities for children in the area council.

The victory is considered significant for the PDP at a time when the party has faced internal divisions at the national level, including defections of high-profile members to rival political platforms such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Although local council election outcomes do not necessarily determine national political strength, observers note that the result reflects the PDP’s continued grassroots presence in parts of the nation’s capital.

The Gwagwalada outcome may also suggest that recent political realignments at the national level have not entirely reshaped voter loyalty in some local communities within Abuja.

(DDM) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded a commanding victory at Big Cele Settlement, Dutse Alhaji, in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory during the ongoing Area Council elections.

The win was delivered at Polling Unit 076, where PDP presidential aspirant Gbenga Hashim cast his vote.

The outcome came amid earlier political tension following claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had influenced the withdrawal of a PDP candidate before the election.

Although the allegations heightened debate ahead of the polls, the results at the polling unit reflected overwhelming support for the PDP.

In the chairmanship contest at the unit, the PDP secured 74 votes.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 2 votes.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also recorded 2 votes in the same contest.

In the councillorship election at the polling unit, the PDP garnered 75 votes.

The APC secured 4 votes in the councillorship race.

The ADC recorded 3 votes, while other political parties failed to obtain any votes at the unit.

Observers described the result as an almost total sweep for the PDP within the settlement.

They noted that such a margin signals strong grassroots mobilization and sustained engagement in the community.

Speaking after the declaration of results, Hashim thanked residents for their peaceful conduct and participation in the electoral process.

“This victory belongs to the people. It reflects consistent engagement, listening leadership, and our shared commitment to progress at the grassroots,” he said.

Election officials at the polling unit were reported to have conducted the process in line with established guidelines.

Security personnel were also present to ensure order throughout voting and counting.

Party stakeholders said the outcome reinforces the PDP’s organizational presence in parts of the FCT.

They further suggested that the result could serve as a morale boost ahead of future political contests, including preparations toward the 2027 general elections.

The FCT Area Council elections, conducted across the six area councils of Abuja, are widely regarded as a measure of party strength and mobilization capacity in the nation’s capital.

Results from additional polling units across Bwari and other area councils are expected to determine the broader political landscape emerging from the elections.

Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituencies in the House of Representatives, narrowly escaped harm on Saturday after violence disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) congress in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

In a statement released by the lawmaker, the congress was initially scheduled to hold at Oghara Township Stadium but was relocated to Ovade, a change she said heightened tensions among party members.

According to her account, violence broke out shortly after she arrived at the new venue, with suspected thugs allegedly attacking party members and leaving several people injured. Some of the victims were reportedly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Ibori-Suenu further alleged that security concerns prevented her from accessing the congress ground, noting that threats to her safety were made. However, security personnel attached to her ensured she was not harmed.

The lawmaker, who is the daughter of former Delta State governor James Onanefe Ibori, called on her supporters to remain calm and avoid escalating the situation.

She also urged security agencies to intervene and restore order, warning that tensions remained in parts of the local government area and stressing the need for adequate security presence to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

(DDM) – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has secured victory at its first polling unit in the ongoing Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

The result was recorded at Polling Unit 076, Sani Abacha Estate, Wuse Zone 4, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

At the polling unit, a total of 10 votes were cast, reflecting a notably low turnout.

Out of the ballots counted, ADC secured seven votes, while APC obtained two votes, and one ballot was declared invalid.

The polling unit is where Dr. Moses Paul, the ADC candidate for AMAC chairman, cast his vote earlier in the day.

The development marks an early symbolic win for the opposition coalition in the council elections.

However, the broader voting exercise across the FCT has reportedly witnessed low voter participation in several areas.

Dr. Paul attributed the reduced turnout to what he described as confusion stemming from the movement restriction directive announced ahead of the election.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had earlier ordered a restriction of movement in parts of the capital to ensure a smooth electoral process.

Paul argued that the directive contributed to uncertainty among residents and discouraged voter participation.

He stated that having lived in AMAC for about 40 years, he had never witnessed such an atmosphere during local council elections.

According to him, the environment resembled what he termed a “state of emergency” over circumstances he considered unnecessary.

While commending electoral officials at his polling unit for professionalism and adherence to due process, Paul raised concerns about alleged intimidation of his party’s agents in other areas.

He specifically mentioned Takum Shara and parts of Kabusa ward, including Dogongada and Shereti, where ADC representatives were reportedly threatened.

According to him, some agents allegedly received threats of violence aimed at discouraging participation and influencing the process.

He also alleged instances of vote buying in parts of the capital, describing such practices as criminal and detrimental to democratic integrity.

Despite the reported challenges, Paul expressed confidence in the eventual outcome of the election.

He stated that the will of the people would ultimately prevail and urged voters to resist intimidation while demanding transparent and accountable leadership.

The results from other polling units are expected to determine the overall outcome of the AMAC chairmanship contest and other council positions across the FCT.

(DDM) – The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has publicly criticized the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of refusing to collaborate with her in delivering governance to residents of the capital.

Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Kingibe alleged that the Minister operates in an autocratic manner and is unwilling to engage with key stakeholders in the FCT administration.

According to her, multiple attempts to foster cooperation through official correspondence have not yielded positive responses.

“If the Minister were my younger brother, he wouldn’t behave this way. I am only about governance,” Kingibe said during the interview.

She further stated that she had written several letters expressing her willingness to work with the Minister for the benefit of FCT residents but claimed that those efforts were not reciprocated.

“You can see the letters I have written to the Minister, all of them telling how I am willing to work with him; the Minister is not willing to work with anybody,” she said.

Kingibe also alleged that the Minister’s leadership style extends beyond her office, claiming he is not working harmoniously with officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) or mandate secretaries within the FCT administration.

“The Minister thinks governance is about what he alone thinks and what he alone wants,” she added.

In a related development, the senator expressed reservations about the movement restriction imposed ahead of the FCT Area Council elections.

Wike had earlier declared a restriction of movement from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday and announced Friday as a work-free day to allow residents prepare for the polls.

However, speaking in a separate interview on Arise Television, Kingibe argued that the curfew was unnecessary and restrictive in a democratic society.

She stated that from her observations, both security arrangements and logistics for the election were already in place.

“We the members of the different area councils followed the materials yesterday, so we know that the materials have arrived and everything seems to be on track,” she said.

Kingibe questioned the justification for the restriction, emphasizing that there were no reported security breaches warranting such action.

“Many residents have various activities and responsibilities in the evening, and such a curfew unnecessarily limits their freedom in a democratic society,” she noted.

The exchange highlights ongoing political tensions within the FCT leadership structure, particularly as the Area Council elections draw heightened attention to governance, administrative cooperation, and electoral conduct in the nation’s capital.

(DDM) The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has provided an update on the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections in Abuja.

Speaking to members of the INEC press corps after visiting several polling units, Amupitan described the voting process as orderly, peaceful, and efficient in contral to challenges reported earlier.

He highlighted the performance of the BVAS, stating that the device was functioning effectively, with voter accreditation taking less than five seconds per person.
Amupitan also noted a large turnout of voters, indicating heightened public awareness of the importance of participating in the elections.

“The election is very efficient. The election is peaceful. And those are the instances of a good election,” Amupitan said.
He confirmed that security personnel were present at polling units to ensure orderly conduct, with approximately 30 officers observed at the locations he visited.
According to him, all the polling units he observed were calm and well-managed, except for a minor issue reported at a polling unit in Abaji.
Amupitan explained that security forces were promptly deployed to the affected area, and the situation was quickly brought under control, allowing voting to resume without significant delay.
He assured Nigerians that the BVAS would guarantee the integrity of the electoral process, emphasizing that only accredited voters could cast their ballots.
“Very good report from all the polling units. The atmosphere is very calm in all the polling units. The only area we had a problem was in Abaji, and immediately we deployed security, and the ugly incident was tamed, and so voting has resumed,” he said.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Amupitan expressed confidence that lessons from the FCT elections would help build voters’ trust in the system.
He urged Nigerians to take note of the efficiency and security of the electoral process, reinforcing the credibility of the voting technology and the efforts of INEC officials across the territory.
The chairman’s visit and report serve as an assurance that the ongoing FCT elections are being conducted professionally, with mechanisms in place to address any incidents that may arise.
Observers have commended INEC’s swift response to challenges, particularly in areas where disruptions occurred, as a measure to maintain the smooth running of the elections.
The FCT Area Council polls are considered a test of Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections, and Amupitan’s statements reflect an emphasis on orderliness, transparency, and voter confidence across the territory.