INEC Threatens Sanctions Over FCT Poll Logistics Delays

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has warned that officials found culpable in the logistical lapses recorded during the recent FCT elections will face disciplinary action.

Yakubu also disclosed that transporters responsible for delays in moving election materials to Kwali Area Council would be blacklisted if investigations confirm negligence.

He made the remarks while reviewing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, four days after the polls.

The meeting, attended by RECs from all 36 states and the FCT, is also aimed at assessing preparations ahead of the 2027 general election. Representatives of state independent electoral commissions were present on a courtesy visit to strengthen collaboration on local government elections.

INEC conducted chairmanship and councillorship elections across the six area councils of the FCT, alongside by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.

In Kuje Area Council, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Danjuma Shekwolo won the chairmanship seat with 17,269 votes.

In Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), APC’s Christopher Maikalangu was re-elected after polling 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid ballots.

Daniel Nuhu of the APC clinched victory in Kwali Area Council with 17,032 votes, defeating the PDP’s Haruna Pai.

Meanwhile, in Gwagwalada Area Council, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mohammed Kasim secured 22,165 votes to defeat APC’s Yahaya Shehu.

Independent National Electoral Commission has begun a post-election review of the FCT council polls, warning that staff and contractors found guilty of lapses will face sanctions.

INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu stated that transporters linked to delays in delivering logistics to Kwali Area Council risk being barred from future engagements.

The review meeting, held at INEC headquarters in Abuja, comes days after the FCT elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.

Beyond evaluating the recent polls, the session provided an opportunity for Resident Electoral Commissioners to share feedback and discuss early preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions, led by Mamman Eri, also attended the meeting to foster collaboration with INEC on improving grassroots elections nationwide.

Election outcomes showed the APC winning chairmanship seats in Kuje, AMAC, and Kwali, while the PDP secured victory in Gwagwalada.

By-elections were also conducted in Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies in Rivers State, as well as Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.