Tinubu calls for peaceful polls in FCT, Rivers, Kano

President Bola Tinubu has called on voters, security agencies, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct themselves peacefully and orderly during Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rivers, and Kano states.

The February 21, 2026 polls are coming days after the President signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law.

In a statement issued Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged eligible voters to turn out without fear, stressing that democracy flourishes in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect.

He appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to shun violence, inflammatory rhetoric, and actions capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process. The President also cautioned security personnel against intimidation or high-handedness, emphasising that their role is to protect lives, property, and the integrity of the ballot.

“Fellow Nigerians, I assure you that the Federal Government under my administration will continue to support institutions responsible for delivering free, fair, and credible elections,” Tinubu said. “To all residents of the FCT, Kano, and Rivers, I commend your civic consciousness. I am confident that these elections will reflect the will of the people and further strengthen our democratic journey as a nation.”

He further urged INEC to ensure timely accreditation, seamless voting, accurate collation, and prompt transmission of results in line with the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.

INEC is set to conduct elections across the six area councils of the FCT, involving 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units, alongside bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states. In Rivers State, bye-elections will hold in the Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies, while Kano State will conduct polls in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies following vacancies created by the deaths of two lawmakers.

The Electoral Act 2026 codifies the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and provides for electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal, while retaining manual collation as a fallback in areas with poor network coverage.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, confirmed that preparations have been concluded, including the deployment of non-sensitive materials, training of electoral officers and security personnel, and configuration of BVAS devices. The commission has also accredited 83 domestic and five foreign observer groups to monitor the elections.

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has imposed movement restrictions within the territory from 8:00 p.m. on February 20 to 6:00 p.m. on February 21 to ensure a peaceful voting environment.

Tinubu Urges Peaceful Conduct as FCT, Rivers, Kano Hold Elections Saturday

President Bola Tinubu has called on voters, security agencies, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct themselves peacefully and orderly during Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rivers, and Kano states.

The February 21, 2026 polls are coming days after the President signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law.

In a statement issued Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged eligible voters to turn out without fear, stressing that democracy flourishes in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect.

He appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to shun violence, inflammatory rhetoric, and actions capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process. The President also cautioned security personnel against intimidation or high-handedness, emphasising that their role is to protect lives, property, and the integrity of the ballot.

“Fellow Nigerians, I assure you that the Federal Government under my administration will continue to support institutions responsible for delivering free, fair, and credible elections,” Tinubu said. “To all residents of the FCT, Kano, and Rivers, I commend your civic consciousness. I am confident that these elections will reflect the will of the people and further strengthen our democratic journey as a nation.”

He further urged INEC to ensure timely accreditation, seamless voting, accurate collation, and prompt transmission of results in line with the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.

INEC is set to conduct elections across the six area councils of the FCT, involving 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units, alongside bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states. In Rivers State, bye-elections will hold in the Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies, while Kano State will conduct polls in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies following vacancies created by the deaths of two lawmakers.

The Electoral Act 2026 codifies the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and provides for electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal, while retaining manual collation as a fallback in areas with poor network coverage.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, confirmed that preparations have been concluded, including the deployment of non-sensitive materials, training of electoral officers and security personnel, and configuration of BVAS devices. The commission has also accredited 83 domestic and five foreign observer groups to monitor the elections.

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has imposed movement restrictions within the territory from 8:00 p.m. on February 20 to 6:00 p.m. on February 21 to ensure a peaceful voting environment.