- Commission has no preferred party, candidates, says Amupitan
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections slated for saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned that any individual found buying or selling votes will be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law.
Towards this end, the commission has given an express mandate to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to deploy their personnel to polling units in the territory.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, sounded the note of warning at a stakeholders’ meeting he held with leaders of political parties, candidates in the forthcoming election, representatives of security agencies, civil society organisations, members of the media, development partners and other critical stakeholders in Abuja.
Amupitan pointedly declared that vote trading undermines the sanctity of the ballot and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions, stressing that It must not be tolerated.
The INEC Chairman similarly made it clear that the commission does not have a political party and does not have a preferred candidate.
The mandate of INEC, according to Amupitan, is clearly to provide the enabling environment for residents of the Federal Capital Territory to freely choose their representatives on 21st February 2026.
He called on the candidates and party leaders to prevail on their supporters to act responsibly, respect the rules and allow the will of the people to prevail.
According to the INEC Chairman, “There is, however, one issue that must be addressed directly, and that is vote trading or vote buying
“The Commission has given an express mandate to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to deploy their personnel to polling units. “Any individual found buying or selling votes will be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law.
“Vote trading undermines the sanctity of the ballot and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions. It must not be tolerated.
“In conclusion, I urge all stakeholders to recommit themselves to peaceful conduct and strict compliance with the law.
“Security agencies must remain professional and impartial.
Political parties must conduct themselves responsibly.
“The media must report accurately. Observers must remain objective. Voters must turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise freely.
On Saturday, 21st February 2026, over 1.6 million registered voters across 2,822 polling units will make their choice.
“Our collective duty is to ensure that their votes are cast freely, counted accurately and reflected transparently.
“Let us raise the bar and consolidate the FCT’s standing as a model for Local Government elections in Nigeria. The Commission stands ready to fulfil its mandate”, he assured.
Amupitan revealed that the forthcoming election will involve 1,680,315 registered voters who will cast their ballots in 2,822 polling units spread across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, namely Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
A total of 570 candidates, he said; are contesting 68 constituencies for the positions of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as well as 62 Councilorship seats, comprising 10 wards each in five Area Councils and 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“These figures underscore the scale of the exercise and the responsibility placed upon all of us to ensure its success”, he said.
Continuing, Amupitan said, “It is important to note that the FCT Area Council Election remains the only local government election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Over the years, it has become a reference point for Local Government elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions, particularly because of the diversity reflected in its outcomes.
“The credibility of this process has strengthened confidence in grassroots democracy. As we approach Saturday, 21st February 2026, we must collectively resolve to raise the bar even higher”, he stressed.
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