FCT Elections: Movement Restrictions Ignored as Voting Kicks Off

Commercial transport operators, including motorists, tricycle and motorcycle riders, defied movement restriction orders yesterday as voting began for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections. The directive, issued by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in collaboration with security agencies, aimed to limit vehicular movement to ensure smooth election conduct.

Field reports from across the FCT, however, indicated that many transport operators continued normal operations, ferrying passengers between communities despite the restriction.

Areas such as Airport Road, Jikwoyi, Nyanya, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and parts of the Abuja Municipal Area Council witnessed relatively free vehicular movement, with no barricades observed in several locations.

Along the Kubwa–Nyanya highway, security operatives mounted checkpoints using patrol vehicles, forcing some motorists to reroute. Meanwhile, while many businesses remained closed, a number of shop owners, laundry services, and Point-of-Sale operators resumed activities, particularly around Airport Road.

Electoral activities also saw delays. At about 8:10 a.m., materials were dispatched from the Kuje central distribution centre at Science Primary School to various polling units across the council. However, polling units in Aleyita along Airport Road were largely deserted, with only security personnel present as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had yet to arrive.

By 8:26 a.m., only a handful of voters, including party agents, were at the centre. Andrew James, an early voter who arrived at 7:00 a.m., expressed disappointment over the absence of electoral officials. He noted that six polling units in the community had been merged at LEA Primary School, Aleyita.

Similarly, voting had not commenced at Pilot Science Primary School in Kwali by 8:33 a.m., though electoral officers were seen briefing party representatives on election procedures.

The early hours of the election reflected the challenges of enforcing movement restrictions while ensuring timely voter participation across the territory.