The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chairmanship candidate in the 2026 Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) election, Comrade Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, has expressed concern over what he described as widespread voter apathy and reported cases of irregularities in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking to journalists after voting at about 11:45 a.m. at Polling Unit 013 in Asokoro, opposite the ECOWAS headquarters, Chukwu said residents should not expect good governance if they fail to participate in the electoral process.
He noted that while the voting process in Asokoro was largely peaceful and orderly, there were troubling reports from other areas. According to him, in Durumi 2, Polling Unit 022, voting could not commence because electoral officials allegedly arrived without the original result sheets.
“They said they forgot it in the office, and as I speak to you now, the result sheet has not been brought. Other party agents are complaining, but the ruling party agent is silent and sitting in a car,” he said, adding that security personnel were reportedly moved to a traditional ruler’s palace in the area.
Chukwu also alleged that in some communities near Kagini, non-indigenes were prevented from voting. He claimed that some residents were told they could not participate in the election because they were not indigenes of the area.
He further accused some individuals of engaging in vote-buying in parts of Orozo, alleging that voters were being pressured and intimidated.
Despite these concerns, the APGA candidate said the general atmosphere across many polling units remained calm. However, he expressed disappointment over the low turnout, noting that many polling units had very few or no voters, with election officials seen waiting idly.
“I am honestly surprised. Considering the level of campaigns and engagement before today, I expected people to come out in large numbers. But many people don’t seem to attach much importance to area council elections,” he said.
Chukwu stressed that good governance must begin from the grassroots, arguing that meaningful leadership at higher levels is difficult to achieve without active citizen participation at the local level.
“When we fail to fix things from the grassroots, we end up chasing shadows. If the house is on fire, we shouldn’t be busy chasing rats,” he added.
