- Safiu Kehinde
Election monitoring group, YIAGA Africa, has released a preliminary report disclosing cases of violence and Intimidation of election officials during the collation of the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council Election.
The report released on Monday by YIAGA comprised of data gathered by the group’s observers assigned to 58 out of the 62 ward collation centres.
Based on the oberservers’ reports, YIAGA noted that the ward collation commenced between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm in 66% of the collation centres observed.
An additional 10% began between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm, while 3% commenced between 9:00 pm and midnight.
Meanhile, in Kuje Central and Kabi wards, collation did not begin until the following morning.
The primary causes of the delay included: late arrival of materials from polling units, absence of collation at designated times, logistical failures in transporting sensitive materials, as well as reported intimidation of officials by political thugs that caused officers to await security escorts.
On officials’ intimidation, Yiaga observers reported incidents of harassment, and violence at several ward collation centres.
“At the Zuba Ward Collation Centre in Gwagwalada Area Council, a disturbance occurred after the completion of polling unit result collation.
“According to field reports, party agents were invited to countersign the result sheets when an exchange of words broke out between a party agent and INEC officials.
“Security personnel initially intervened to calm the situation; however, tensions escalated, and security agents discharged tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“The incident temporarily disrupted activities at the collation centre, and individuals present, including observers, vacated the premises for safety.
“At the Ashara Ward Collation Centre (LEA Primary School) in Kwali Area Council, tensions escalated following the announcement of results by INEC officials.
“Community members reportedly rejected the declared outcome, resulting in unrest at the venue.
“During the disturbance, two vehicles believed to be associated with INEC were vandalised.
“Observers at the collation centre were compelled to leave the area for safety.In Kuje Central ward collation center, observers also reported disruption by suspected political thugs, which led to a fracas during collation.
“Result sheets were reportedly carted away in the process. INEC officials fled for safety, collation was halted, and materials were moved to an alternative location for continuation of the ward collation.” The report partly read.
Meanwhile the collation was posting of results was largely deemed transparenr as 80% of the ward collation centres observed, collation officers completed and publicly displayed the Notice of Results Poster (Form EC60E) for the chairmanship election.
Also, in 95% of ward collation centres that commenced collation, party agents were requested to countersign the result forms.
ADC agents reportedly countersigned in 88% of centres observed, APC agents in 93%, PDP agents in 91%, and SDP agents in 59% of centres.
Observers further reported that copies of Form EC8B were distributed in 100% of the ward collation centres observed.
However, disagreements with the declared results were recorded in 2% of the centres.
On deployment of security officials, Yiaga Africa observers reported the presence of security officials in 98% of collation centres observed.
Morever, YIAGA noted that collation were not concluded in some wards as they were transferred to another ward where collation for completion.
“In Karshi Ward (AMAC), presiding officers from two polling units (PU 002 Bakin Kasuwa and PU 019) reportedly delayed in submitting their results to the ward collation centre.
“Consequently, collation was moved to the AMAC Area Council collation centre.Similarly, in Dafa Ward, Kwali Area Council, collation did not take place at the designated ward centre after disruptions by unidentified individuals who allegedly ran away with a ballot box.
“Although the perpetrator was apprehended and the ballot box retrieved, collation was relocated to another venue.
“The change in venue limited observer access due to prevailing security uncertainties.” The report read.
However, Yiaga Africa commended INEC officials in several wards who showed courage and professionalism, carrying out their responsibilities despite intimidation and attacks.
It also commended vigilant citizens in affected wards who defended their mandate by insisting on compliance with established procedures and resisting attempts by political thugs to disrupt the collation of results.
These critical incidents, according to the group, have significant implications for electoral integrity.
YIAGA noted that the 2026 FCT Local Government Elections reaffirmed that ward-level collation remains the most vulnerable and most consequential stage of Nigeria’s electoral process.
It maintained that the will of voters expressed at polling units can only be protected if the chain of custody of results from polling units to ward and subsequently to local government collation centres is secure, transparent, and subject to effective oversight. It is against this background that
Ahead of Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections and the 2027 general elections, YIAGA urged INEC to strengthen its election deployment planning and logistics management to ensure timely deployment of materials and personnel, and effective communication to voters on polling unit redistribution.
“INEC should conclude voter redistribution exercise and ensure that affected voters are informed well in advance of Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and the 2027 general elections to avoid confusion and potential disenfranchisement.” It said.
The group also called for timely publication of polling units’ results (Form EC8A) to IReV to strengthen transparency, build public trust and reduce suspicion of manipulation, and in accordance with the newly signed 2026 Electoral Act.
YIAGA suggested instituting staggered material collection schedules, pre-positioning security escorts, and penalizing returning officers to avoid collation delays.
It also called for an independent post-election audit of the electronic transmission system to assess whether any technical failures contributed to upload gaps.
On security agencies, YIAGA demanded investigation of alleged collusion between security operatives and political thugs in incidents where ward-level collation was disrupted, and ensure that findings are made public.
It called for the arrest and prosecution of individuals who deployed violence to disrupt the collation process, including both perpetrators and their sponsors, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 and other relevant laws.
For political parties, YIAGA charged them to adequately train and support ward-level party agents with a particular focus on legal rights during collation, form authentication, and formal dispute procedures.
Itt urged the the parties to refrain from deploying political thugs in the vicinity of collation centers and actively cooperate with security agencies to maintain a peaceful environment.
Political actors, according to YIAGA, must prioritize voter mobilization and civic education to reverse the trend of declining voter turnout.
It noted that the primary responsibility for mobilising voters rests squarely with political parties, as they are the direct beneficiaries of electoral victories and democratic legitimacy.