Saturday, February 21, 2026 l Dalena News Desk
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Tensions mounted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the day of the Area Council elections as allegations of vote-buying surfaced in Gwagwalada, with at least one voter publicly admitting to receiving ₦5,000 before casting a ballot accusations that opposition parties say reflect systemic irregularities undermining electoral integrity.
The FCT Area Council elections — held across six councils including Gwagwalada, Abaji, Bwari, Kuje, Kwali and AMAC — saw heightened political activity on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as thousands of registered voters participated in selecting local representatives. However, reported instances of inducement threatened to overshadow the polling exercise.
In posts circulating on social media, a resident of Gwagwalada confirmed he was offered ₦5,000 shortly before presenting himself at a polling unit a transaction that commentators and critics described as vote-buying, an illegal electoral practice that can distort the will of the electorate.
Political parties contesting the elections seized on the admission, accusing rival camps of deploying cash incentives to influence voter choice. While specific party names have not been universally verified in reporting, observers noted the allegations heightened concerns about fairness, particularly given INEC’s ongoing warnings against vote buying ahead of the poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier issued stern cautions to political actors and the electorate, warning that buying or selling votes undermines the sanctity of the ballot and would attract legal consequences. INEC officials earmarked involvement from enforcement agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to deter and prosecute offenders.
Despite these official warnings, social media posts on platforms including Twitter and Facebook reflected widespread debate, with some users amplifying the voter’s claim while others insisted more evidence was needed before drawing conclusions.
Local election monitors and civic groups whose presence was recorded across polling units in the FCT — called for calm and urged that any suspected malpractice be promptly reported to election officials or law enforcement officers stationed at polling stations.
As counting and collation continued into the evening, stakeholders emphasised the importance of credible, transparent outcomes. The FCT Area Council elections, regarded as a barometer for grassroots democracy in Nigeria’s capital territory, now face heightened scrutiny following these vote-buying allegations.