SkyDNews | FCT elections | Democracy & Electoral Integrity
FCT elections have come under strong criticism from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, who described the electoral process as lacking credibility, transparency, and fairness.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) strongly criticized the conduct of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls, stating that the exercise failed to reflect the genuine will of the electorate. In a statement published on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, the prominent constitutional lawyer asserted that the FCT elections failed to meet the fundamental standards of transparency, fairness, and credibility expected in a democratic process.
Concerns Over Movement Restrictions and Transparency
Okutepa raised serious concerns over the declaration of a work-free day and reported movement restrictions prior to the FCT elections, noting that such measures created an atmosphere of suspicion and weakened public confidence in the electoral system. According to him, credible elections must not only be conducted fairly but must also be perceived as transparent by the public to sustain democratic legitimacy.
Allegations of Result Manipulation
The senior advocate also referenced viral images of allegedly altered EC8A result sheets, which appeared to show inconsistencies, including inflated vote figures and suspicious alterations. He warned that such developments, if proven, constitute grave violations of constitutional principles and undermine the doctrine that sovereignty ultimately resides with the people.
Okutepa described electoral manipulation as a direct threat to democratic governance and warned that failure to address such concerns could erode public trust in Nigeria’s electoral institutions.
FCT elections in Nigeria: Protests greets results announcement[/caption]
Calls for Urgent Electoral Reforms
He stressed that restoring credibility to future FCT elections requires urgent institutional reforms. Highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms, Okutepa advocated for the complete elimination of manual collation processes, recommending the full adoption of digital electoral systems to improve accuracy, transparency, and accountability. He further emphasized that:
- Results showing visible alterations should be immediately cancelled
- Digital transmission and collation of results should be fully implemented
- Electoral officials must be held accountable for misconduct
- Institutional safeguards must be strengthened to protect electoral integrity.
Okutepa also criticized opposition political parties, describing them as fragmented and ineffective in mounting a unified response to the alleged irregularities. He warned that unless comprehensive electoral reforms are urgently implemented, the 2027 general elections could face even more severe credibility and legitimacy challenges. “The survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on decisive institutional reforms and the protection of electoral integrity,” he cautioned.
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Voter accreditation during the FCT elections[/caption]
Broader Democratic Implications
Observers warn that failure to reform the FCT elections process could weaken public trust in Nigeria’s democracy. Political observers note that Okutepa’s intervention reflects growing concerns among legal and civic stakeholders regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral processes and the urgent need to restore public confidence.
As Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles, calls for reform continue to intensify, with legal experts, civil society groups, and political actors emphasizing the importance of credible elections as the cornerstone of democratic stability. SkyDNews will continue to provide authoritative coverage on electoral reforms, governance, and democratic accountability across Nigeria.
Voting process during the FCT elections in Abuja[/caption]
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