Abuja residents turn out early for AMAC council polls
The morning air in Abuja today carries a different kind of “ginger.” It is Saturday, February 21, 2026, and the Federal Capital Territory is currently witnessing one of the most critical moments in its local democratic journey.
As a professional editor who has covered many election cycles, I can tell you that there is something uniquely personal about an Area Council poll. While the big national elections often feel like high stakes drama from a distance, these local polls are about the “koko” of our daily lives—the roads in our neighborhoods, the management of our local markets, and the effectiveness of grassroots leadership.
From the early hours of today, residents across the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have been seen making their way to their respective polling units, showing a level of commitment that suggests Nigerians are no longer willing to “fold their arms” when it comes to choosing their immediate leaders.
Smooth start as BVAS machines behave well at Polling Unit 18
At the popular Polling Unit 18 located at the Post Office in AMAC, the atmosphere was one of quiet efficiency. Unlike previous years where “technical wahala” often delayed the process, today’s exercise kicked off almost on the dot.
By exactly 9:05 a.m., the first set of voters were already being attended to. It was quite impressive to see that electoral officials had already finished the pasting of voter registers and completed the necessary verification with party agents before the clock hit nine. The real star of the show so far has been the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
In a city where we are used to technology sometimes “showing us shege,” the machines at this unit have been behaving themselves remarkably well. Accreditation is happening “sharperly,” with voters spending only a few minutes to get cleared and cast their ballots. It is a breath of fresh air to see a system that actually works as advertised.
Security agencies maintain order across the capital city
One cannot talk about a Nigerian election without mentioning the security presence, and today is no exception. However, instead of an intimidating atmosphere, what we are seeing is a very professional and reassuring deployment.
Officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and even the Nigeria Correctional Service are visibly stationed at strategic points. Their presence has ensured that everything remains “calm and cool,” with no reports of the usual disruption that sometimes plagues local contests. The coordination between these agencies shows that some serious planning went into this day.
For the average voter, seeing this level of security gives them the “liver” to come out and exercise their rights without the fear of any “strong man” trying to hijack the process.
Local elections offer hope for better grassroots governance in Abuja.
As the voting continues, there is a palpable sense of hope among the people on the queue. This 2026 FCT election is not just about filling seats; it is about accountability. Residents are tired of “grammar” and are now looking for “talk and do” leaders who understand the struggles of the common man in the capital.
Whether it is the woman selling roasted corn by the roadside or the corporate worker in a high rise building, the desire for a functional AMAC is universal.
This election serves as a reminder that the power to change our immediate surroundings is literally in our thumbs. As we watch the numbers trickle in later today, the hope is that the peaceful and efficient start we have seen at the Post Office unit will be the standard across all six Area Councils. This is democracy in its purest form, and Abuja is leading by example.
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