The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious allegations of manipulation against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming there is a plot to use security forces to tamper with the outcome of the chairmanship election in Kuje Area Council.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the PDP expressed deep concern over the delay in announcing results from two wards in the council, insisting that the hold-up is a deliberate tactic to undermine the will of the people.
“We are concerned that the results from two wards in Kuje Area Council are yet to be announced by INEC. This delay has raised apprehension because of the marginal lead that the Peoples Democratic Party has there, which we are aware is under the threat of being manipulated using security forces,” the statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, read.
The party called on the INEC Chairman to immediately order the announcement of results from Kuje Central and Kabi Wards, noting that most of the figures have already been uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal.
“Election results must remain a true reflection of the votes of the people; anything less invalidates the entire process. We should uphold the sanctity of the ballot,” the PDP added.
INEC Explains Delay
However, INEC had earlier provided an explanation for the delay, attributing it to logistical challenges rather than manipulation.
The Supervising Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Kuje Area Council election, Abubakar Dambo, told The Nation on Sunday that results from eight out of ten wards had already been declared. He explained that the outstanding results from Central and Kabi wards were delayed due to a mix-up involving collation officers.
“We are waiting for the remaining two wards out of ten. The delay is because the collation officers went to the wrong place and had to return to the INEC office before heading back early this morning to complete the collation process. I am sure that by now they should be on their way back from Kabi ward,” Dambo stated.
Tight Security at Collation Centre
As of Sunday afternoon, Kuje remained the only outstanding area council, with results from the other five councils—Bwari, AMAC, Gwagwalada, Abaji, and Kwali—already declared.
Security has been significantly tightened in and around the INEC office in Kuje to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Party agents, journalists, and security personnel were observed at the collation centre awaiting the formal declaration of the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Nkiruka Odoh.
APC Sweeps Four Councils, PDP Takes One
Meanwhile, results from the councils already declared show a strong performance by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the Bwari Area Council, Joshua Ishaku of the APC was declared winner after polling 18,466 votes. The Returning Officer, Mohammed Nurudeen, confirmed, “I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship election held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
The APC also secured victories in AMAC, where Christopher Maikalangu polled 40,295 votes; in Abaji, where Umar Abdullahi Abubakar scored 15,536 votes; and in Kwali, where Nuhu Daniel won with 17,032 votes.
The Peoples Democratic Party, however, clinched the Gwagwalada Area Council, where its candidate, Mohammed Kasim, emerged victorious with 22,165 votes, defeating APC’s Yahaya Shehu who polled 17,788 votes.
All eyes remain on Kuje as stakeholders await the final declaration.
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