The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated its successful candidates in the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), even as the party highlighted alleged irregularities during the polls.
In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP commended Mohammed Kasim, declared chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, alongside other councillors whose victories were confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While celebrating these wins, the party expressed concern over what it described as “unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage” during the elections. According to the PDP, there were multiple reports and video evidence showing armed security personnel allegedly carting away result sheets, intimidating voters, and influencing outcomes at some polling units.
The party has also inaugurated a special legal team, led by National Legal Adviser Shafi Bara’u, to assist candidates with legitimate complaints arising from the elections and to manage post-election litigation. The PDP urged affected candidates to reach out to the legal office immediately, noting that “delay is fatal in election petition cases.”
Ememobong further attributed the low voter turnout observed in the elections to the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, stating that citizens had lost confidence in electoral outcomes conducted under the new law. He warned that the results of these Local Council polls could signal challenges ahead for the 2027 general elections if reforms are not implemented promptly.
The PDP called on the National Assembly and the President to address the alleged shortcomings in the electoral framework to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.