The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has raised serious concerns over the conduct and outcome of the recently concluded Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, describing the exercise as a troubling reflection of Nigeria’s weakening democratic foundations.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the organization said that rather than strengthening grassroots democracy, the elections exposed glaring structural deficiencies and raised fundamental questions about the credibility of the country’s electoral system under the current administration.
According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) won chairmanship seats in Kuje, Bwari, Kwali, Abaji, and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in Gwagwalada.
However, CHRICED stressed that beyond the declared results, the overall process fell significantly short of democratic standards and public expectations.
CHRICED expressed particular alarm over what it described as a crisis-level voter turnout. INEC data shows that out of 1,682,315 registered voters in the FCT, only 239,210—representing 14.24 percent—participated in the elections.
In AMAC alone, just 65,676 votes were cast out of 837,338 registered voters, amounting to a mere 7.8 percent turnout.
The group warned that such minimal participation means that leadership decisions affecting millions of residents were determined by a small minority. It described the development as a profound democratic deficit and a dangerous sign of eroding public trust.
CHRICED noted that widespread voter apathy reflects growing public frustration and the perception that elections are often predetermined or skewed in favor of incumbents.
It cautioned that this belief, if left unaddressed, could further undermine confidence in democratic governance.
The organization listed several irregularities that allegedly marred the elections, including rampant vote buying, late arrival of election materials, poor logistics coordination, weak voter education, intimidation and inducement at polling units, and lax enforcement of electoral guidelines.
Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly made arrests and recovered cash from suspects linked to vote trading, CHRICED argued that such efforts were insufficient to curb what it described as the growing institutionalization of vote buying.
It warned that if elections in just six Area Councils could be plagued by such lapses, the implications for the 2027 general elections are deeply concerning.
To restore public confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, CHRICED called for urgent and far-reaching reforms, including the introduction of a mandatory minimum voter turnout threshold before election results can be deemed valid.
The group pointed out that several democracies maintain turnout requirements for certain elections and referenda, arguing that Nigeria must adopt measures that ensure leadership reflects the will of a broad and engaged electorate.
In addition, CHRICED urged:
- Full implementation of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform recommendations
- Deployment of real-time electoral surveillance technology
- Digital tracking of political finance and campaign spending
- Stronger laws criminalizing vote trading, backed by enforceable penalties
- Swift prosecution of electoral offenders
Structured collaboration between INEC, anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and security institutions
CHRICED called on INEC to overhaul its logistics framework, intensify voter education nationwide, and enhance transparency and accountability mechanisms.
The National Assembly was urged to amend electoral laws to introduce minimum turnout requirements and impose stricter sanctions for electoral malpractice.
The Federal Government was advised to guarantee INEC’s institutional independence, provide adequate funding, and support technology-driven reforms.
Political parties were encouraged to end the monetization of elections, focus on issue-based campaigns, and deepen grassroots civic engagement, while civil society organizations and the media were urged to intensify voter education and democratic accountability efforts.
Citizens, the group said, must also reclaim ownership of the democratic process through active participation.
CHRICED maintained that democracy thrives on participation, legitimacy, and public trust. Elections determined by a small fraction of the electorate, it argued, cannot produce leaders who genuinely reflect the people’s will.
The organization warned that unless urgent reforms are undertaken, Nigeria risks normalizing minority rule under the guise of democracy.
