The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved to challenge the outcome of the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the party, it says it is heading to court with what it described as strong evidence from the polls.
The development follows the conclusion of voting across the six area councils in the FCT. The election covered Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission showed a clear advantage for the All Progressives Congress. The APC won chairmanship positions in Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, and Kwali. The PDP recorded victory only in Gwagwalada.
Despite the outcome, the PDP congratulated its candidates who were declared winners. The party described the Gwagwalada result as significant, even though it fell short of expectations.
In a statement signed by the party’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it had constituted a special legal team to handle all election-related petitions from the FCT polls. The legal team is headed by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u.
The party accused security agencies and other actors of interfering with the electoral process. It claimed there were widespread cases of intimidation and manipulation at polling units.
“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage.”
The PDP insisted that it has visual records to support its claims. According to the statement, these materials show alleged misconduct during voting and result collation.
“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”
The party urged its candidates who are dissatisfied with the results to immediately contact the legal team. It warned that delays could weaken their chances at the election tribunals.
The PDP also blamed low voter turnout on what it called public distrust in the current electoral framework.
“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in the electoral outcomes from elections conducted under this Act.
“These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made.”
The opposition party called on the President and the National Assembly to urgently intervene. It said reforms are needed to protect future elections and restore public confidence in the democratic process.