Wike Raises Concern Over Low Voter Turnout in FCT Area Council Elections

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed concern over the low voter participation recorded in the ongoing Area Council elections across the territory.

During a visit to several polling units on Saturday, the minister engaged electoral officials to assess the situation on the ground. At a polling unit in Karshi, officials were present but no voters were seen casting ballots at the time of his arrival.

When he inquired about voter turnout, an ad-hoc official serving under the **National Youth Service Corps** informed him that only about 10 percent of registered voters had participated so far.

The minister questioned the figure and asked when vote counting was scheduled to begin. The official replied that counting was expected to start at 2:30 p.m. Wike responded by expressing hope that participation would improve before the close of voting.

Earlier, Dr. Moses Paul, candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the Abuja Municipal Area Council, attributed the low turnout to the movement restriction imposed for the elections.

He described voter participation as significantly below expectations and said the directive created uncertainty among residents. According to him, the atmosphere in parts of the council resembled an emergency situation, which he considered unnecessary.