Abuja Council Polls: Parties Intensify Campaigns Ahead

Political parties in Abuja are ramping up their campaigns in preparation for the council elections scheduled for February 21, where 17 political parties will contest 68 electoral positions, including six area council chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the exclusion of the Labour Party (LP) from the ballot due to ongoing internal leadership disputes, which have led to a court ruling that upheld the party's exclusion.

This situation has raised concerns about the organizational coherence of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), which has also faced internal conflicts despite successfully submitting candidates. The absence of the LP is expected to significantly shift the electoral dynamics, particularly affecting opposition votes and potentially benefiting the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

INEC has registered 1.68 million voters for the elections, and logistical adjustments are being made to facilitate the electoral process.