Residents of the Federal Capital Territory turned out on Saturday to elect chairmen and councillors who will manage the administration of the territory’s six Area Councils.
Unlike the 36 states where such contests are known as local government elections, the exercise in the FCT is officially termed Area Council polls. The territory is overseen by a minister appointed by the President, while states operate under elected governors and legislatures.
Area councils serve as the closest tier of elected government to residents, delivering key services including water supply, sanitation, local road maintenance, primary education, and healthcare — functions that directly affect daily life at the grassroots.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is conducting the elections across 2,822 polling units in 62 wards spanning the six councils: Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
The previous polls, held on February 12, 2022, produced a split result, with three councils won by the Peoples Democratic Party and three by the All Progressives Congress.
INEC data shows limited female participation in the chairmanship races, with only three women contesting across all six councils — less than five per cent of total candidates. Anumnu Abigail of the Action Alliance is the sole female candidate in Abaji, while Abuja Municipal Area Council has Richard Elizabeth of the Action Democratic Party, and Kuje features Aju Ukwa of the Zenith Labour Party. No women are contesting for chairmanship in Bwari, Gwagwalada, or Kwali.
Female representation is higher in vice-chairmanship contests, with several parties nominating women as running mates.
As INEC finalised preparations, parts of the territory — including streets, markets, and community centres — were filled with anticipation ahead of the vote.
