The Digest:
President Bola Tinubu has urged voters, security agencies, and INEC officials to conduct themselves orderly during Saturday's elections in the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, and Kano states. In a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu called on eligible voters to "come out and vote without fear," emphasising that democracy thrives in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect. He cautioned against violence, inflammatory statements, and actions that could undermine the electoral process, stressing that security personnel are present to protect lives, property, and the sanctity of the ballot. INEC will conduct elections across FCT's six area councils (1.68 million voters, 2,822 polling units), alongside bye-elections in Rivers (Ahoada East II, Khana II) and Kano (Kano Municipal, Ungogo). The polls are the first major test of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates BVAS and electronic transmission with manual backup.
Key Points:
- Tinubu's call for order aims to ensure the first major test of the Electoral Act 2026 is credible.
- The polls serve as a dry run for BVAS, IReV, and new provisions ahead of 2027.
- Voters in FCT, Rivers, and Kano test the new system, while INEC evaluates performance.
- This signals the importance of these elections as a litmus test for future polls.
- The timing, days after the Act was signed, puts reforms into practice.
Tinubu urges peaceful conduct as FCT, Rivers, Kano voters test Electoral Act 2026 in Saturday's council and bye-elections under BVAS, IReV.
Sources: The Punch, Presidency/Bayo Onanuga
