The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organised an implementation meeting on voter-enlightenment activities for election stakeholders ahead of the February 21, 2026, Area Council election in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The meeting is geared towards voter education, sensitisation, and inclusivity activities for the Federal Capital Territory election.
In his opening remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Aminu Idris, noted that the enlightenment activities will provide an important bridgehead for anchoring free, fair, credible, and inclusive election processes through constructive voter engagement.
Idris, who was represented by the Director of Gender and Inclusivity in INEC, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, pointed out that the meeting also offered stakeholders an opportunity to share knowledge on voter sensitisation and electoral inclusivity, to meet the needs of different categories of voters and other stakeholders ahead of the election.
“Our cardinal objective at this meeting is to advance discussion on the Commission’s approved voter education and inclusivity activities for the Area Council Election, and the roadmap for their impactful implementations.
“Refreshingly, we have the right mix of election stakeholders here present today: the HoDs, Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers (Administration), and select election focal Civil Society Organisations.
“It is expected that your expert knowledge on voter sensitisation and electoral inclusivity, your vast insight of voter demographic structures and their diverse but specific information needs, will prove valuable in the domestication of the voter education and inclusivity messaging to meet the diverse information demands of different classes of voters and other election stakeholders in the FCT, as the march towards the election gathers momentum,” he emphasised.
“Against the backdrop of effective voter enlightenment and inclusivity drive, our key performance indicators should reflect thus;
“How knowledgeable are the electorates to make informed choices, thus addressing void votes.
“How confident are the voters in the integrity of the process, their personal safety and security, to avoid disillusionment, self-help, and violence.
“How aware are the PWD voters of the electoral provisions made to support their independent participation, to prevent apathy and sense of exclusion, and how well acquainted are the electorates of their electoral rights, responsibilities, and benefits of participation, to equip them to demand accountability from their political representatives,” Idris explained.
The Commission, however, emphasised that for effective sensitisation, inclusive voter messaging, and impactful programming, all stakeholders must view themselves as strategic partners rather than competitors.
“By combining their efforts and resources, they can create the necessary synergy to promote informed and peaceful voter participation across the 2,822 Polling Units, 62 Registration Areas, and the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory—Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje—in the February 2026 Area Council Election”,he added.
