President Bola Tinubu has charged individuals including electors, security operatives, and election officials to maintain orderliness ahead of staggering polls in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, and Rivers States.
The elections are scheduled for February 21st, 2026, after the recent passing of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2026, highlighting a turnaround in Nigeria electoral reforms.
Contained in a statement disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Tinubu, the president encouraged all eligible voters to engage in the elections fairly without fear, emphasising that democracy only survives in enabling environments.
The President specifically directed his warning to political parties, candidates, and supporters against any conduct that can undermine the elections. He further said that law enforcement officers must safeguard lives and property, while protecting ballot sanctity. He also cautioned against any form of unprofessionalism that might disenfranchise citizens or shatter public confidence.
President Tinubu therefore reassured Nigerians of his continuous support to institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in delivering transparent, equitable, and trustworthy elections.
“Fellow Nigerians, I assure you that the Federal Government under my administration will continue to support institutions responsible for delivering free, fair, and credible elections.”
The upcoming polls cover area council elections across the FCT’s six councils, involving 1,680,315 registered voters at 2,822 polling units.
In Rivers State, bye-elections will occupy vacancies in Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies after resignation and passing of incumbent lawmakers.
In Kano State, constituencies such as Kano Municipal and Ungogo, having 330,228 and 205,418 voters respectively across 630 and 384 polling units will hold elections to fill the vacant seats of the state’s assembly members.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, confirmed complete preparations of the elections, including distribution of non-sensitive materials, training of personnel, BVAS device setup, and accreditation of 83 domestic, and five international observer groups.
While the newly enacted Electoral Act provided for electronic uploads of results, with manual collation as a backup in network-challenged zones, it sanctioned the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). The hybrid approach where Form EC8A will be used for declarations during disruptions, has become the center of debates, questioning reliability and efficiency.
Tinubu pressed INEC to guarantee swift accreditation, seamless voting, precise collation, and rapid result transmission to build voter trust.
To foster a peaceful atmosphere, the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, has restricted movement from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.