The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set for its first major test under the newly signed Electoral Act 2026, as it conducts the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections alongside key bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states this Saturday.
The polls are widely viewed as a litmus test for the amended law recently assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly with the statutory backing of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed that 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils of the FCT are expected to participate.
Simultaneously, the commission will conduct bye-elections in Rivers State for Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies, as well as in Kano State for Kano Municipal and Ungogo State constituencies.
As the FCT elections remain the only local government-level polls directly supervised by INEC, observers see the exercise as a strategic rehearsal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike Declares Work-Free Day, Movement Restriction
Ahead of the vote, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents travel to their respective communities to vote.
In a special broadcast delivered by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike also announced a restriction of movement across the FCT from 8 p.m. on February 20 to 6 p.m. on February 21, 2026.
“All security agencies are directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive,” the minister stated, noting that the measure was approved by President Tinubu to guarantee smooth conduct of the elections.
Wike urged residents to approach the polls with responsibility and decorum, describing the election of chairmen and councillors as crucial to shaping the territory’s development trajectory.
“We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity,” he said.
He also commended the President for assenting to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, describing it as a commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
The minister encouraged a high voter turnout, expressing optimism that credible leaders would emerge to promote peace, prosperity, and development in the FCT.