The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, held on Saturday, were characterized by a mix of tight electoral contests, widespread low voter turnout, and significant operational disruptions. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was tasked with conducting elections for six Area Council chairmen and 62 councillors across 2,822 polling units, with over 1.6 million registered voters expected to participate. However, reports from various polling units indicated a consistent and notably low presence of voters across the territory.

Electoral outcomes presented varied results across different units. At the Supreme Court Staff Quarters polling unit in Karu, Abuja, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate, Christopher Maikalangu, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Paul Moses, polled an equal 12 votes each. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured four votes, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) received two, and both the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) garnered one vote apiece. Only 32 of the 749 registered voters cast their ballots at this unit. Similarly, in Nyanya, Polling Unit 016 saw APC leading with 13 votes and ADC with 5 for the chairmanship, out of a mere 22 accredited voters from 754 registered. Polling Unit 091 in Nyanya Ward recorded APC topping with 20 votes, while PDP, ADC, BOOT Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each received one vote. In a notable victory for the opposition, the ADC secured Polling Unit 076 in Sani Abacha Estate, Wuse, Zone 4, with its Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) candidate, Dr. Moses Paul, obtaining 7 out of 10 valid votes against APC's two.

The pervasive low voter turnout emerged as a central theme of the elections. Dr. Moses Paul, the ADC candidate, attributed this directly to a movement restriction directive imposed by the FCT Minister, which he claimed caused confusion and created an unwarranted “state of emergency.” He highlighted that the turnout was significantly lower than any he had witnessed in his four decades in AMAC.

Despite these challenges, Dr Olusola Odumosu, the FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), conveyed that the ongoing FCT Area Council elections had been largely peaceful and orderly. Briefing newsmen, Odumosu affirmed that substantial security deployments had been made to all area councils, ensuring that peace and order were maintained. He expressed confidence that no violence or chaos was anticipated, even after the announcement of election results, viewing these area council elections as critical preparation for the 2027 general elections.

However, the elections were not free from controversy and disruption. Allegations of vote buying surfaced, with an ADC agent accusing APC members of openly distributing N1000 cash to voters at the Nyanya General Hospital Polling Unit 035. This alleged incident reportedly occurred in the presence of security personnel, whose inaction was questioned by concerned observers. Prominent lawyer Deji Adeyanju sharply criticized such practices, stating: “Cowards! Why are you allowing them to buy votes in 2026? Are you all not tired of the wailing?” Dr. Moses Paul also corroborated allegations of ongoing vote buying in parts of the capital city, labeling it as criminal. Furthermore, voting activities were halted at the AU Suleman 003 polling unit in Abaji Local Government Area due to missing ballot papers, which sparked anger and accusations among voters and political party agents. ADC agents in areas such as Takum Shara and parts of Kabusa ward, including Dogongada and Shereti, also reported threats and intimidation, including warnings of maiming or killing, which they believed were tactics aimed at suppressing voters and influencing the process in favor of the ruling party.

Adding to the election day complexities, travellers from Kaduna, Niger, and other southern states encountered unexpected blockades at FCT entry points imposed by the military. Many drivers and passengers, including truck driver Haliru Abdullahi and bus driver Kelechi Sunday, voiced frustration, stating they were unaware of the closures or did not anticipate major highways would be affected by FCT-specific elections. Heavy-duty trucks and buses were reportedly halted for several hours at a military checkpoint near Dantata Junction, Dei Dei, causing significant disruption to travel and commerce.