By Adesakin Adefemi
Moses Paul, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of voter intimidation and widespread vote‑buying during Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) oversaw chairmanship and councillorship contests across the six area councils of the nation’s capital.
In a post‑election interview with WTV, Paul described the exercise as “relatively peaceful” but said it was marred by pockets of harassment and inducement. “We saw agents of the ruling party moving from house to house with cash, and in several wards our supporters were threatened or physically barred from voting,” he said, adding that his campaign has video evidence of the alleged misconduct.
Turnout, he noted, was alarmingly low. “At my own polling unit we had fewer than ten voters, even though I eventually won there,” Paul said. “Across most locations voter apathy was high, and that undermines the legitimacy of any result.” He contrasted this with a few hotspots such as Lugbe, where participation was stronger, yet still below the number of registered voters.
Paul recounted specific incidents of violence against his party agents. “In Orozo, some of my agents were beaten and forced to leave their posts. In several villages, our people were simply not allowed to cast their ballots,” he alleged. He called on INEC and security agencies to investigate and prosecute anyone found culpable.
Despite the challenges, Paul expressed confidence that the ADC is on track to win. “From the results we’ve gathered so far, we’re leading with a comfortable margin in many wards,” he said, citing his victory at polling unit 076, Sani Abacha Estate, Wuse, Zone 4, where he secured seven votes against APC’s two.
The candidate urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report any further irregularities. “Democracy only works when people can vote freely and without fear. We must protect that right,” he emphasized.
Political analysts warn that, if substantiated, the allegations could erode public trust in the FCT electoral process and raise broader concerns about Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Civil‑society groups have already called for an independent audit of the polls and for swift action against any electoral offenses.
INEC officials have yet to comment on the specific accusations, though they have reiterated their commitment to a transparent and credible election. Security agencies say they are reviewing reports of violence and will deploy additional personnel to ensure safety during the collation of results.
As counting continues, residents of AMAC await the final tally, with many hoping for a peaceful conclusion. The outcome of this election will be a key indicator of how well Nigeria’s electoral system can withstand allegations of malpractice and deliver results that reflect the will of the people.
