The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has voiced strong objections over what it claims are attempts to influence the outcome of the ongoing Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The party’s FCT chapter alleged that the administration led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) is engaging in actions capable of distorting the democratic will of residents across the territory.
In a statement issued during voting activities on Saturday, the ADC said it was deeply concerned about developments it described as deliberate efforts to tamper with the integrity of the polls.
The statement, signed by the party’s FCT Publicity Secretary, Nwigbo Chukwudi Samuel, stressed that the elections must reflect the true wishes of voters and not be influenced by political pressure or administrative interference.
According to the party, democracy thrives when institutions act independently and when voters are allowed to exercise their rights freely.
The ADC argued that any conduct suggesting manipulation, whether direct or indirect, risks discouraging citizens from participating in future elections.
The party maintained that residents of the FCT deserve an electoral process that is transparent, accountable and in strict compliance with laid-down procedures.
A significant portion of the party’s concerns centred on the responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The opposition party called on the electoral body to demonstrate neutrality and ensure that all operational guidelines are followed without compromise.
It emphasised that the credibility of the elections depends heavily on the commission’s commitment to fairness.
One of the key demands raised by the ADC relates to the timely deployment of election materials and personnel.
The party insisted that logistics must be properly coordinated to avoid delays at polling units.
It warned that late arrival of materials or officials could lead to frustration among voters and, in some cases, discourage participation.
According to the party, sufficient vehicles and security escorts should be made available to facilitate smooth movement on election day.
The party also expressed concern about the technological aspect of the process, particularly the electronic transmission of results.
It cautioned against any sudden disruption of mobile networks that could affect the uploading of polling unit results.
The ADC insisted that Form EC8A, the official result sheet from each polling unit, must be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing portal to promote transparency and public confidence.
On the issue of collation, the party maintained that ward-level collation must take place strictly at designated centres.
It argued that relocating collation activities to other venues, especially directly to Area Council INEC offices, could create suspicion and undermine trust in the process.
The ADC said results should be collated openly, in the presence of party agents and accredited observers, to eliminate doubts about accuracy.
Security agencies were also mentioned in the statement. The party urged law enforcement officers to conduct themselves professionally and avoid actions that might be perceived as intimidation.
It stressed that party agents must be allowed to perform their roles without harassment or obstruction. According to the statement, a peaceful atmosphere is essential for credible elections.
While highlighting its concerns, the party acknowledged that Nigeria’s electoral system has recorded notable improvements in recent years, particularly in the integration of technology aimed at enhancing transparency.
However, it emphasised that innovation alone cannot guarantee credibility unless guidelines are strictly observed and uniformly applied.
Political analysts note that the FCT elections often attract heightened attention because of the symbolic importance of the nation’s capital.
The outcome is sometimes viewed as a reflection of broader political trends.
For this reason, stakeholders have repeatedly called for strict adherence to electoral standards to avoid controversies.
The party concluded by urging INEC to safeguard the integrity of the process and ensure that the final results accurately represent the choices made by voters.
It reiterated that democracy depends not only on voting but also on the confidence citizens have in how those votes are counted and announced.
As collation continues across the Area Councils, observers are monitoring developments closely.
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