African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the FCT Area Council elections were conducted under an unknown and unpublished law, describing the process as a breach of the rule of law.
Okonkwo, a lawyer and former Labour Party spokesperson, levelled the criticism shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concluded the polls on 21 February 2026, which saw the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) claim victory in five of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement that quickly gained traction, Okonkwo argued that the Electoral Act 2026 — the legislation ostensibly governing the exercise — had not been properly gazetted or made publicly available by the time voting took place.
“Nigerians should not be carried away by what this dubious APC is doing,” he said.
“Up till now, the gazetted copy of the Electoral Act 2026 is not out.
The FCT election was conducted under an unknown law.
And this is against the rule of law. Before you implement a law on the people, it must be publicly published.”
His remarks come amid broader unease over Nigeria’s electoral framework following Bola Tinubu’s assent to the amended Electoral Act on 18 February 2026, just days before the FCT polls.
The new law introduced measures such as mandatory electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, revised timelines for candidate nominations, and provisions for direct or consensus primaries.
While supporters view these changes as steps towards greater transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections, critics — including opposition figures and some civil society groups have pointed to perceived loopholes, particularly around discretionary powers for election officials in cases of technical failures.
Okonkwo’s specific objection centres on the fundamental principle of legal notice: that no law can bind citizens until it is formally published and accessible.
He suggested the hurried application of the unpublicised Act undermined the legitimacy of the FCT results.
The elections themselves recorded low voter turnout, with some observers citing widespread apathy.
INEC declared APC candidates winners in five councils — including Abuja Municipal, Bwari, and others — while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured one victory in Gwagwalada.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria separately condemned the polls, highlighting the “abysmal” 7% turnout as evidence of eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
Okonkwo’s intervention adds to ongoing debates about the Electoral Act 2026’s implications.
Former INEC commissioner Okechukwu Ibeanu has warned that the legislation still contains gaps that could jeopardise future polls, while opposition voices accuse the ruling party of using legal tweaks to disadvantage rivals.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, questions over legal compliance, transparency, and public trust in the electoral system are likely to intensify.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
