In the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, a disturbing scene unfolded that has grabbed national attention and intensified the public conversation about electoral integrity in Nigeria. At a polling unit in the Abaji Area Council, ballot papers were reportedly snatched while residents were in the process of casting their votes, forcing officials to suspend voting and triggering protests from frustrated community members. The incident quickly trended on social media under the hashtag #FCTDecides2026 as citizens reacted to the shock and uncertainty of what had just occurred.
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Ballot Papers Gone Missing as Voters Wait to Cast Their Votes
The disruption happened at the AU Suleman 003 polling unit in Abaji South East, one of thousands of voting stations set up across the FCT for the Area Council elections. According to eyewitness accounts, an unidentified person entered the polling station and made away with sensitive ballot papers in the middle of the voting process. Electoral officials had to halt accreditation and voting immediately. Party agents at the scene raised the alarm and security personnel were quickly called in to intervene.
Videos shared widely on platforms like Twitter and Facebook showed agitated voters chanting and engaging with officials in heated exchanges. In some footage, members of the security forces were seen trying to calm the situation as crowds gathered around the affected unit. Some clips captured what appeared to be the deployment of tear gas to disperse the crowd. The atmosphere was tense, with many residents visibly upset and demanding answers.
By the early afternoon, voting had not resumed at the disrupted unit, leaving residents unsure of when they would be able to complete the democratic exercise they had come out for. Some voters expressed disbelief that someone could gain access to election materials so easily while voting was underway, raising serious questions about the security of election logistics.
Wider Context of the FCT Area Council Elections
The Abaji incident did not occur in isolation. Across the Federal Capital Territory, residents have been turning out to vote for chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors in the six Area Councils of the FCT: Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. The elections commenced in the morning, with voters using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to gain accreditation and cast their ballots.
Early reports from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicated that election materials had been distributed to polling units and that officials were prepared for the exercise. Sensitive materials were delivered under police escort early in the day, and INEC had stressed its readiness for a smooth process, carrying out the elections across 2,822 polling units in 62 wards.
However, media reports from other parts of the territory pointed to a mixed set of experiences. While many polling units recorded orderly voting and prompt arrival of election materials, others faced delays due to logistical challenges or technical issues with accreditation devices. In AMAC, for example, there were allegations that original copies of result sheets were not available at certain polling units, which stymied voting in those locations.
In the Lugbe area, some reports suggested that money was being exchanged in view of voters, prompting a visit from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), though no arrests were immediately made.
Security agencies have maintained a visible presence across the territory during the council polls. The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other agencies were deployed to monitor voting activities, protect voters and election officials, and safeguard election materials. Prior to the election, NSCDC commanders warned their personnel to avoid involvement in the voting process and to steer clear of accidental discharges while on duty.
Despite preparations and high security, the Abaji ballot paper incident has sharpened focus on how election materials are managed on polling day, and whether protocols for their security are sufficient.
Reactions and Calls for Accountability After Disruption
The unusual turn of events in Abaji has not only frustrated local voters, it has amplified broader concerns about electoral fairness and credibility. Political parties, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens took to social media to express their dismay, sharing live updates and footage from various units across the FCT.
Some observers have demanded a full investigation into how the ballot papers were removed, calling for transparent action that would prevent similar occurrences from undermining public trust in Nigeria’s democratic processes. Others have argued that election authorities must take steps to reinforce security measures and ensure that sensitive materials are protected from the moment they leave distribution centres until votes are fully cast and counted.
As of now, the Independent National Electoral Commission has not issued a detailed official statement on the Abaji ballot paper incident. INEC had earlier in the day emphasised its coordination with security agencies and willingness to address challenges encountered during the elections, but specific responses to the Abaji situation are still awaited.
Elsewhere in the territory, voters continued with the exercise, and social media remained flooded with commentary about the developments. The hashtag #FCTDecides2026 continued to trend as citizens documented their voting experiences, shared concerns, and urged calm and decorum at polling units.
Why the Incident Matters to Nigeria’s Democratic Journey
Nigeria’s electoral history has faced many tests, and the conduct of grassroots elections in the FCT this weekend is being watched closely as a barometer for public confidence in electoral management. Area Council elections, while closer to local governance than national polls, play a significant role by choosing leaders who are directly responsible for services and infrastructure that affect daily life in communities.
The disruption in Abaji is significant because it highlights vulnerabilities at the polling unit level that, if unaddressed, could erode trust and dampen citizens’ willingness to engage in future elections. Many Nigerians have long advocated for stronger protections around the voting process, including better tracking and observation of sensitive election materials and more stringent enforcement of rules against interference.
As the 2026 council elections proceed and results begin to be collated and announced, authorities now face the immediate task of reassuring the public that the overall process remains robust and credible. For residents of Abaji and the wider FCT, the hope is that lessons can be drawn quickly from this unsettling event so that the remainder of the elections can proceed with minimal disruption and with confidence restored among voters.
In the days ahead, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how electoral bodies and security agencies handle the fallout from the Abaji ballot paper incident, and whether meaningful steps will be taken to protect the integrity of elections across the country.
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