Rights group warns of democratic risks after FCT polls

2026-02-26 - 05:06

By Luminous Jannamike ABUJA — The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has expressed fresh worries about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that the conduct and outcome of the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections pose growing risks to the country’s democracy. The group said the elections exposed major weaknesses in the system, especially very low voter turnout and widespread irregularities, cautioning that public trust in elections could worsen ahead of the 2027 general polls if urgent reforms are not carried out. The warning was contained in a press statement signed by Comrade Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED). According to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won chairmanship seats in Kuje, Bwari, Kwali, Abaji and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Gwagwalada. However, CHRICED said it was deeply troubled by what it described as alarming voter apathy. INEC figures showed that out of 1,682,315 registered voters in the FCT, only 239,210, representing 14.24 per cent, took part in the elections. In AMAC alone, just 65,676 votes were cast out of 837,338 registered voters, translating to 7.8 per cent turnout. “This means that a tiny fraction of eligible voters determined leadership for millions of residents,” the group stated. It warned that the situation represents a democratic deficit and signals a dangerous erosion of public trust in the electoral process. The organisation further said the elections were marred by several irregularities, including vote buying, late arrival of election materials, poor logistics coordination, weak voter education, intimidation and inducement at polling units, as well as lax enforcement of electoral guidelines. While acknowledging arrests made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the group said the action barely scratched the surface of the widespread vote trading observed across the FCT. “Vote buying has become institutionalized, turning elections into transactional exercises rather than civic duties,” CHRICED stated. The group warned that if elections in just six Area Councils could witness such lapses, the implications for the 2027 general elections should worry stakeholders. To rebuild public confidence, CHRICED called for sweeping electoral reforms, including the introduction of a mandatory minimum voter turnout threshold before any election result can be declared valid. “Nigeria must adopt similar measures to ensure that leadership is not determined by a disengaged minority,” the statement said. The organisation also urged full implementation of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform recommendations, deployment of real-time electoral surveillance technology, digital tracking of political finance and campaign spending, stronger laws against vote trading, and swift prosecution of offenders. In its recommendations, CHRICED urged INEC to reform electoral logistics, strengthen voter education and improve transparency mechanisms. It called on the National Assembly to amend electoral laws to introduce turnout requirements and tougher sanctions for malpractice, while urging the Federal Government to guarantee INEC’s independence and provide adequate funding for technology-driven reforms. The group also tasked political parties to end the monetisation of elections and focus on issue-based campaigns, while urging civil society organisations, the media and citizens to step up efforts to rebuild confidence in the democratic process. “Democracy thrives on participation, legitimacy, and trust. Elections decided by a small minority cannot produce leaders who truly represent the will of the people,” the group stated.