By Muhammad Mamman
Tensions ran high at Abaji Council in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday as voters expressed outrage over reports that ballot papers were allegedly removed from polling stations.
Residents who arrived to cast their votes were met with confusion and frustration, with election officials reportedly unable to confirm when voting would resume. Eyewitnesses said security personnel were present, but the atmosphere remained tense as no ballots were available and no voting was ongoing.
Several voters told local reporters that they had waited for hours, only to discover that crucial election materials had been “whisked away,” sparking fears of irregularities. Calls for an urgent investigation have already been made by community leaders and civil society groups monitoring the process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to release an official statement regarding the missing ballot papers or the resumption of voting.
Native reporters at the scene said that while the situation remains calm, residents’ anger is growing, with some demanding immediate accountability from electoral officials.
The Abaji Council elections were intended to be part of Nigeria’s broader push for credible local government polls, but this disruption threatens to overshadow the process and raise questions about electoral integrity in the FCT.
