The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has underscored the importance of strategic collaboration among stakeholders to ensure informed, peaceful, and active voter participation in the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections, slated for February 21, 2026.
Speaking at an implementation meeting focused on voter enlightenment, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, Mallam Aminu Idris, highlighted the need for all stakeholders to view themselves as partners rather than competitors in promoting voter education and inclusivity. Represented by the FCT INEC Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, Idris emphasized that pooling resources and expertise is critical to fostering non-violent participation across the FCT’s six area councils, 62 registration areas, and 2,822 polling units.
“This meeting marks the official launch of our voter education and inclusivity efforts for the area council elections,” Idris explained. “It provides a foundational platform to anchor free, credible, and participatory elections through constructive engagement with the electorate.”
Idris further outlined the objectives of the meeting, which included reviewing INEC’s approved voter education activities, exploring the roadmap for effective implementation, and leveraging stakeholder insights to ensure messaging resonates with all voter groups. He noted that stakeholders’ understanding of voter demographics and information needs is essential for tailoring communication strategies that address the unique concerns of different voter classes.
Among the key performance indicators highlighted by Idris were: enhancing voters’ knowledge to make informed choices and reduce void votes, building confidence in the integrity and safety of the electoral process, ensuring persons with disabilities (PWDs) are aware of provisions for their independent participation, and increasing overall awareness of electoral rights and responsibilities to empower voters to hold political representatives accountable.
The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the FCT, Mrs. Acharu Opaluwa, reiterated the agency’s commitment to collaborating with INEC for credible elections. Represented by Deputy Director Mrs. Theresa Eze, she stressed the need to involve NOA’s community relations and mobilisation officers in all six area councils to disseminate voter education at the grassroots level.
Mrs. Lakunuya Bello, INEC Director of the Gender and Inclusivity Department, added that the meeting aimed to ensure all participants involved in voter education, gender-focused programs, and field mobilisation were fully aligned with INEC’s approved activities. Bello emphasized the importance of clarity at this stage, stating, “This meeting allows us to anticipate operational challenges, agree on practical approaches, and ensure smooth execution across all councils.”
She concluded by urging participants to engage openly and constructively, reinforcing that the ultimate goal is to deepen public awareness, encourage meaningful participation, and ensure every community—including women, youth, and marginalized groups—is included in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
With the February 2026 elections approaching, INEC’s call for unity and proactive engagement signals a committed effort to build trust, awareness, and inclusivity, aiming to make this FCT Area Council Election a model of informed and peaceful electoral participation
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