Ahead of the February 12 area council elections in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, the participating political parties signed a peace agreement.
The representatives and candidates of 14 political parties, including the ruling Nigeria All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Center in Abuja agreed to a violence-free election.
Saturday’s elections will be held in all 68 wards spread across the Federal Capital Territory’s Bwari, Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abuja Municipal Council (AMAC) area councils.
As published in its final list, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicated that a total of 473 candidates sponsored by 14 political parties will participate in the survey.
Being the only part of the country where the law requires the commission to carry out local government elections, INEC President Mahmood Yakubu said that the main activities were completed before the elections.
He said all non-confidential materials have been sent to area councils and promised to ensure the delivery of sensitive materials on Thursday, two days before the election.
“There are enough committed and trained ad hoc staff for the election. Non-sensitive materials have been deployed to the various Area Councils. Non-pharmaceutical materials have been procured to protect voters and staff from COVID-19 in accordance with Commission policy based on protocols prescribed by health authorities. Voter education and publicity has been carried out. Transportation arrangements have been made, including motorcycles for remote locations and boats for riverside areas.
“We will deploy assistive devices like a Braille ballot guide and magnifying glasses for voters with physical disabilities. We had several meetings with security agencies at the area councils, the FCT, and the national level on how to address potential threats to the election and secure the election.
“All non-sensitive materials have already been delivered to the Area Councils. On Thursday, February 10, 2022, i.e. within the next two days, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will deliver confidential materials to our FCT office in Garki,” Mr. Mahmood said.
While it all appears to have been covered by Nigeria’s electoral body, the two largest political parties have also been busy making moves for victory.
campaign fever
In preparation for the council election, the PDP, having lost in the same election in 2016, announced a 35-member campaign team for the poll last Friday.
The team is chaired by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, while Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde will serve as secretary of the high-profile committee.
For its part, the APC on Monday also inaugurated a 133-member national campaign council at the International Conference Center (ICC) for the upcoming FCT elections.
Both Governors David Umahi of Ebonyi State and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State will co-chair the council.
Meanwhile, in the 2019 survey, thThe APC won five of the six presidencies of the FCT while Danze Adams of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won the Gwagwalada President election.
He narrowly garnered 15,950 votes to defeat APC’s Abubakar Giri, who came close with 14,569 votes.
