As voters turn out for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Area Council, and concurrent bye-elections in the states of Kano and Rivers, Nigeria’s political heavyweights are embroiled in a high-stakes struggle today.
In the FCT, the influence of the Minister, Nyesom Wike, is on the line as he moves to deliver the nation’s capital for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Wike is also aiming to deliver in Rivers where voters in Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies also head to the polls in crucial bye-elections.
Meanwhile, in Kano, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the head of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), is running against his estranged godson, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is currently in the APC, for two open State Assembly seats.
The elections are the first significant electoral outing under the Electoral Act 2026 and are widely seen as a dress rehearsal for 2027.
1.5m voters, 11,000 officials in FCT
1,587,025 voters are anticipated to cast ballots in the Federal Capital Territory, according to confirmation from the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC. Out of the 1,680,315 registered voters in the six Area Councils, the number indicates a 94.4% Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection rate.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, also noted that voting will take place in 2,822 polling units, with 570 candidates contesting 68 constituencies — six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats. Two candidates withdrew before the polls.
In Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairmanship candidate, Zadna Dantani, stepped down for the APC candidate, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu. In Bwari, PDP’s Julius Adamu also withdrew for APC’s Joshua Ishaku Musa.
Read Also: INEC Confirms Full Readiness for FCT Polls Today, Ready to Test 2026 Electoral Act
The withdrawals came after Wike, a former governor of the PDP who currently leads the APC-led Federal Government, held political deliberations. Expectations that the minister is committed to swaying Abuja in favour of the ruling party have increased as a result of the development.
Heavy security, 12-hour restriction in Abuja
Large-scale deployments were made by security services across the FCT.
The deployment of 4,000 personnel was verified by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, or NSCDC. Dr. Olusola Odumosu, the FCT Commandant, stated that in order to prevent disturbances, covert agents had been placed near flashpoints.
Thousands of personnel were also sent in by the Nigeria Police, the primary internal security agency. Miller Dantawaye, the FCT Commissioner of Police, declared a 12-hour movement restriction today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
According to SP Josephine Adeh, a police spokesperson, accredited election officials and critical service providers are excluded from the restriction. Residents were asked to follow the law and use the established emergency lines to report any suspicious activity.
Kano: Nine parties battle for two seats
Nine political parties are running in Kano State’s bye-elections for the seats in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Assembly.
The lawmakers who represented Kano Municipal (Sarki Aliyu Daneji) and Ungogo (Aminu Sa’ad) passed away, leaving the seats empty.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Amb. Abdu Zango, said parties participating include A Party, ADP, APP, AAC, APC, APM, PRP, YPP and ZLP.
He informed voters that the commission was prepared and verified the delivery, sorting, and distribution of sensitive materials.
Rivers: Bye-elections in two constituencies
Concurrently, INEC is holding byelections for the constituencies of Ahoada East II and Khana II State in Rivers State.
The Rivers polls are politically crucial despite being less dramatic than the FCT and Kano contests. This is because they come when the oil-rich state is undergoing power recalibrations and changing alliances.
Recall that Governor Fubara yesterday urged voters to come out en mass to excercise their civil responsibility.
Although it is uncertain what the turnout will be following recent political rift between the state governor and FCT minister Wike.
Early test for 2027
Today’s multi-state polls are more than routine elections. They are the first significant test of the robust security architecture, the ability of political actors to follow the law, and the modified Electoral Act 2026.
In Abuja, Wike’s political acumen and influence is being questioned as he tries to exert authority over the grassroots institutions in the capital. As many perceive it as a referendum on the NNPP’s control of the state, Kwankwaso and Yusuf face a resolute resistance in Kano.
With thousands of security personnel on the streets, rigid mobility restrictions, and more than 1.5 million voters in the FCT alone, the stage is set for a historic election that might alter alignments before 2027.
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