The Peoples Democratic Party has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to promptly declare the outstanding results of the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election, expressing concern over what it described as an unusual delay in the collation process.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said results from two wards in Kuje — Kuje Central and Kabi — were yet to be announced, creating tension among party supporters.
According to the PDP, the delay is particularly troubling given what it claims is a marginal lead in the area.
The party alleged that the situation could expose the process to manipulation and called on the electoral umpire to safeguard the integrity of the exercise.
“We call on the Chairman of INEC to direct the immediate announcement of the outstanding results, many of which have already been uploaded on the IREV portal. The will of the people must not be compromised,” the statement read.
The party maintained that the sanctity of the ballot must be preserved, stressing that any deviation from due process would undermine public confidence in the election.
INEC officials, however, attributed the delay to logistical challenges.
The Supervising Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Kuje poll, Abubakar Dambo, explained that results from eight of the ten wards had been concluded, while collation was ongoing in the remaining two.
He cited issues involving collation officers as the cause of the setback.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress has celebrated its performance in the February 21 elections across the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, and Rivers states.
The party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the outcome as evidence of the APC’s growing grassroots support, listing Kuje among councils won by the party despite the pending final declaration.
Earlier results announced by INEC showed the APC winning in Abaji, Kwali, Abuja Municipal Area Council, and Bwari, while the PDP secured victory in Gwagwalada.
President Bola Tinubu had also congratulated winners of the elections, commending INEC, security agencies, and voters for what he described as the peaceful conduct of the polls.
Despite these commendations, opposition parties have continued to question aspects of the process, citing low voter turnout and alleged irregularities.
The PDP has already constituted a legal team to handle potential election petitions arising from the FCT Area Council polls.
