Abuja: The Young People’s Initiative for Credible Leadership (YPICL) has described the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections as credible. The Executive Director, Mr Abdulwahab Ekekhide, stated that the elections reflected the true will of the people, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ekekhide, speaking to journalists in Abuja, commended all stakeholders involved in the elections. He highlighted that the Area Council elections served as a litmus test for the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that voters chose leaders they trusted. Ekekhide emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy was still evolving, and it was the duty of all stakeholders, particularly young leaders, to protect and strengthen the democratic process.
‘From our observation with other civil society partners and independent monitors, the elections were peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and credible, with the people’s will prevailing,’ Ekekhide noted. He also praised the re-election of Mr Christopher Maikalangu as Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), attributing his victory to a strong grassroots connection and people-oriented leadership. Maikalangu’s deep connection to the grassroots had previously earned him victory in 2022 when he defeated the ruling party, and it continued to endear him to voters across the council.
However, Ekekhide expressed concern over the low voter turnout in the AMAC elections, blaming it on opposition leaders who often raised alarms over alleged malpractices, which discouraged citizens from participating.