PDP inaugurates legal team to challenge FCT council election results amid alleged vote irregularities and low voter turnout

The Peoples Democratic Party has inaugurated a special legal team to challenge the results of Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, after the All Progressives Congress secured five of six chairmanship seats.

Also read: Rufai Oseni slams controversial APC FCT election victory

In a statement on Sunday, the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, congratulated winners but alleged widespread irregularities, including voter intimidation and manipulation.

The party’s legal team will be led by National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq., urging aggrieved candidates to act promptly.

The APC claimed victories in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje, while the PDP retained Gwagwalada.

The elections, covering six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats, were marked by low turnout and reports of vote-buying.

“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026,” the PDP statement said, warning that the elections could foreshadow trends in the 2027 general elections.

The party cited video evidence of armed personnel allegedly removing result sheets and intimidating voters.

According to INEC, over 239,000 residents voted across the six councils, representing about 15 per cent of the 1,680,315 registered voters.

The commission confirmed that split polling units were created in areas with over 1,250 voters to reduce congestion, and denied claims that voters had been migrated from their original units.

The commission also reported that 93 per cent of polling unit results were uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal by Sunday afternoon.

The low turnout nevertheless drew criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who said the participation figures reflected a shrinking democratic space, citing intimidation and suppression of opposition voices.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested 20 suspects for alleged electoral offences, recovering N17.2 million in cash, including N13.5 million seized near a polling booth in Kwali.

President Bola Tinubu and APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda commended the conduct of the elections, describing the results as evidence of public confidence in the APC-led government’s reform agenda.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike praised the peaceful exercise and highlighted the importance of voters’ participation, urging winners to serve with humility and dedication.

Also read: FCT Poll: Votes allegedly sold for ₦10,000 — CSO

Meanwhile, PDP presidential aspirant Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim described the outcome as a political resurgence for the party, citing its retention of Gwagwalada and several councillorship seats as proof of organisational resilience and sustained grassroots support.