Voting concludes in FCT area council polls amid celebrations and tension

By Ugbede James Ankpa

Voting to determine the winners of the chairmanship and councillorship elections across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory has ended, leaving a mix of joy and disappointment among candidates and their supporters.

While those who emerged victorious are celebrating, the defeated candidates were seen wearing gloomy expressions.
The elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, were held in Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Results for the councillorship positions were declared at the INEC Registration Area Centres (RACs), while the chairmanship results are to be collated and announced at the INEC headquarters in each of the six Area Councils later in the day, depending on the timely arrival of results from the various RACs.
Meanwhile, violence broke out in Kuje Central, Kuje, when suspected thugs reportedly jumped over the fence of the collation centre where results were being compiled and switched off the generator.
The disruption caused chaos, prompting security agents to fire tear gas to restore order. INEC officials, party agents, observers, journalists, and other stakeholders fled the scene for safety. A few suspects were arrested by security operatives in connection with the incident.
However, as of the time of filing this report, no loss of life had been recorded, although the counting process was temporarily disrupted.
At the INEC office in Abuja, journalists, observers, party agents, and electoral officials are anxiously awaiting the announcement of results from all wards before the final declaration of winners.