By Daniel Tyokua
The All Progressives Congress (APC) youths in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the FCT have disagreed with the date slated for Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections by INEC.
The chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu had during a consultative meeting with political parties on January 22, 2025 announced that the council elections will be held on February 21, 2026.
Briefing journalists on Friday in Abuja, APC youth leader in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Robert Ach-Ugbede said the date fixed by INEC had cast doubt on the electoral body.
He said the current serving Chairmen of the six Area Councils were elected on 12 February 2022, and sworn in on 14th of June, 2022, a mandate of three years.
Ach-Ugbede explained that former president Muhammadu Buhari signed the new electoral Act as amended on 28 February, 2022, Which he said the tenure of the chairmen elapse in June, 2025.
The youth leader urged INEC, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and strategic stakeholders in the territory to reexamine the tenure elongation issue.
He said, “The will of the people should be allowed to prevail, our democracy should never degenerate to a point where we begin to endorse impunity.
“FCT Area Council Chairmen and councilors were truly elected on a mandate of 3 years that elections was held on 12 February 2022 with the Electoral Act 2010 that was before former President Mohammadu Buhari signed the new Electoral Act as amended on 28 February 2022.
“So, any attempt to extend their tenure by one more year is akin to subversion of the will of people and is illegal, unconstitutional, illegitimate and condemnable.
“The INEC Chairman should tell Nigerians where he derive its powers from, because he cannot be a judge in is own case, that his pronouncement and order must still bow to the Nigeria Constitution, which he has no power to change – yet.
“We call on the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, the National Assembly, and all other stakeholders to look into this and caution INEC to conduct election before the expiration of their valid mandate or the Minister shall decide in accordance with the constitution how to replace them at the expiration of the 3 years mandate in June, 2025” Ach-Ugbede said.