This Saturday marks the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) first significant activity under the recently ratified legal framework.
As a litmus test for the Electoral Act 2026, which President Bola Tinubu just approved, the commission will supervise the elections for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Area Councils, and crucial bye-elections in the states of Rivers and Kano.
This occurred after FCT Minister Mr. Nyesom Wike said that today would be a work-free day and that all mobility would be completely restricted beginning tonight in order to facilitate the Area Council elections on Saturday.
In the meantime, 1,680,315 registered voters from 2,822 polling places spread across all six Area Councils will participate in the FCT elections, according to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN.
At the same time, the commission will hold bye-elections in Kano State for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State constituencies, and in Rivers State for the Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies.
The commission now has to make real-time modifications to a number of high-stakes changes brought about by the 2026 Electoral Act. The legislative establishment of the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV) and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is crucial.
Observers see this weekend’s elections as a prelude to the national elections in 2027, since the FCT elections are the only local government-level surveys that INEC directly conducts.
The minister clarified yesterday in a special broadcast by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, that the purpose of the work-free day, which President Bola Tinubu has approved, is to enable citizens to travel to their various communities to cast ballots on Saturday.
The minister also declared a required movement restriction throughout the FCT in order to safeguard the election process.
A similar restriction on mobility within the FCT from 8 p.m. on February 20 to 6 p.m. on February 21, 2026, has been approved by the President. As a result, Wike stated, “all security agencies are instructed to ensure strict compliance with this directive.”
As the election of chairmen and council members for the six area councils was a pivotal chance to influence the future of the territory, the minister asked citizens to cast their ballots with a feeling of purpose.
“We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum,” he said, calling for respect for the political process and order.
Wike conveyed gratitude for the recent signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 by the president.
He explained that the action was an example of the administration’s dedication to open, equitable, and free procedures.
Because the democratic process is constantly changing, democracy has always been a work in progress. But we will continue to improve by continuously examining the Electoral Act in order to fortify our democratic process,” he continued.
In order to choose leaders who will propel growth, the minister urged a high voter turnout. I implore you, my dear residents, to speak up. Vote for your preferred candidates when you go out on Saturday. As an administration, we pray that the elections will help produce such capable leaders who will make a significant contribution to the FCT’s growth, peace, and prosperity,” he continued.
