Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) in 2023 and opposition figure, Adewole Adebayo, has described the February 21, 2026, FCT Area Council elections as largely free and credible, despite concerns over low voter turnout and political disengagement.
Speaking in an interview, Adebayo said:
“As far as the election in the area councils in Abuja on the 21st of February, 2026, is concerned, in my own view and from the information available from the field, the election is largely free, fair and credible—fairer than the ones in the recent past.”
He noted that many of the irregularities feared before the polls did not materialise.
“Many of the vices and malpractices that we had feared, I did not see them manifest and our operators did not see them manifest.”
However, he described voter apathy as the most troubling aspect of the exercise.
“The almost virtual boycott of the election by the electorate is what I found most alarming.”
According to him, public cynicism arising from controversies around the Electoral Act and doubts about electronic transmission of results contributed to the low turnout. He also blamed political parties for failing to mobilise supporters effectively.
“It is the responsibility of the political parties to make the public become members of their party and get them motivated enough to vote.”
Citing his own party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adebayo admitted internal weaknesses.
“We didn’t get five per cent of our own members to come out and vote… So why are you talking about voter apathy when there’s internal party apathy in your own party?”
On INEC’s performance, he acknowledged logistical lapses but commended the commission overall.
“INEC has a fault there… But so far, so good, INEC has done well. When we got there, the result sheets were intact.”
Addressing complaints about the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, moving around polling units, Adebayo dismissed claims of interference.
“I went around myself. I’m not a voter in Abuja… So Mr. Wike going around—what does it matter? He’s not entering the ballot box.”
He added:
“No responsible voter who knows what he is going there to vote for will change his mind because somebody is going around.”
While acknowledging areas for improvement, Adebayo concluded that the election reflected a generally fair process, urging political actors to focus on rebuilding public trust and strengthening grassroots mobilisation ahead of future polls.
FCT Polls: Election Largely Fair, But Voter Apathy Remains Alarming – Adebayo
