The mixed reality of the FCT elections in Kubwa.
While some parts of the Federal Capital Territory started the Saturday morning with plenty of “ginger” and high expectations, the story coming out of Kubwa is looking a bit different. As a professional editor who has seen many election cycles, I can tell you that the atmosphere in this major Abuja suburb is currently a mix of silence and frustration.
For those who don’t know, Kubwa is usually one of the most vibrant areas during any political exercise, but today, the vibe is surprisingly “cold.
” As early as 9:00 a.m., many of the polling units that should have been buzzing with activity were looking more like ghost towns. It is a bit disheartening to see such a sharp contrast between the smooth process we recorded in the AMAC city center and the sluggish start here. The “koko” of the matter is that for democracy to truly work, the suburbs must be just as active as the metropolis, but for now, Kubwa is struggling to find its rhythm.
Technical wahala with BVAS machines slowing down the process
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, popularly known as the BVAS, was supposed to be the “magic wand” that would make voting sharp and seamless. However, in several polling units across Kubwa, the reverse seems to be the case. We are receiving reports of technical hitches that have left both electoral officials and the few early birds frustrated. In some locations, the machines are taking an unusually long time to verify fingerprints and faces, while in others, they are simply “behaving anyhow.” This kind of “technical wahala” is exactly what discourages people from staying on the queue.
When a “senior man” or a busy trader leaves their house to vote and ends up standing under the sun for hours because a machine is not working, they are likely to pack their bags and go home. For an election that is supposed to be high tech, these glitches are a serious “pepper” in the eyes of the democratic process.
Empty queues and the question of low voter turnout
Perhaps the most worrying part of today’s exercise in Kubwa is the low voter turnout. In many units, the INEC officials were seen sitting down, waiting for voters who simply refused to show up. It is a classic “no be small thing” situation. We have to ask ourselves why the residents of such a populated area are choosing to “sidon look” this time around.
Is it a case of political apathy, or are people just tired of hearing the same old promises without seeing any “correct” change in their local environment? For a council election that directly affects things like local roads, sanitation, and primary health, one would expect the residents to come out with full force. Seeing empty queues in places that used to be overcrowded during the general elections suggests that the “ginger” for local governance is currently at an all time low.
Why the lack of ginger in Kubwa matters for our future
At the end of the day, we must realize that if we don’t vote, we essentially give up our right to complain when things go south. This lack of participation in Kubwa is a “red flag” for our grassroots democracy. When people stay away from the polls, it becomes easier for “wuru wuru” to happen and for leaders who don’t have the people’s interest at heart to find their way into office.
As a professional who cares about the progress of this nation, my heart goes out to those few who have stayed on the queue despite the delays. We need to find a way to bring the excitement back to our local elections.
Whether it is by fixing the technical issues “sharp sharp” or by better educating the public on why their vote counts, something needs to change. Kubwa is a heartbeat of the FCT, and when that heart is beating slowly on election day, it affects the health of our entire democratic system.
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