FCT council polls: ADC defeats APC, wins first polling unit

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) to secure its first polling unit in the ongoing Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The opposition party clinched victory at Polling Unit 076, Sani Abacha Estate, Wuse Zone 4, under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where its chairmanship candidate, Dr. Moses Paul, cast his vote.

Out of the 10 ballots cast at the polling unit, ADC polled seven votes, while APC secured two votes. One ballot was declared invalid.

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The election witnessed a generally low turnout of voters across parts of the council.

Speaking after casting his ballot, Paul alleged intimidation of his party’s agents in some wards and attributed the low voter turnout to the movement restriction earlier announced by the FCT authorities.

According to him, the turnout was far below expectations, describing the situation as unprecedented in his decades of residence in AMAC.

“I have lived in AMAC for about 40 years and have never witnessed this kind of development. It felt like a state of emergency over what I consider unwarranted,” he said.

While commending electoral officials at his polling unit for professionalism and adherence to due process, Paul alleged that ADC agents in Takum Shara and parts of Kabusa Ward, including Dogongada and Shereti, were threatened and intimidated.

He claimed that some agents were allegedly told they could be maimed or killed, insisting that such actions were aimed at suppressing voters and influencing the process in favour of the ruling party.

The ADC candidate further alleged that vote buying was ongoing in parts of the capital city, describing the practice as criminal and detrimental to democratic principles.

Despite the reported challenges, Paul expressed confidence in emerging victorious, urging residents to resist intimidation and demand accountable leadership.