The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the upload of results from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections onto its Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

The elections were held on Saturday, February 21, across the six area councils in the nation’s capital.

Checks on the IReV portal showed that polling unit results for chairmanship and councillorship positions had started appearing from various area councils. As of 6:28:05 pm, 809 out of 1,401 results from the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), representing 57.74 percent, had been uploaded.

Results from some polling units in by-elections conducted in Kano and Rivers states were also observed on the portal.
The FCT area council elections are widely seen as a test run for INEC ahead of the 2027 general election.

The development comes days after President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law.

The amendment process generated controversy, particularly over the provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results.

While the House of Representatives, in December 2025, adopted a proposal mandating real-time transmission of results to IReV, the Senate initially rejected the provision when it passed its version of the bill in early February 2026.

The decision sparked protests and calls for a reversal.

The Senate later rescinded its position and approved electronic transmission of election results, with a clause providing for manual collation as a fallback in the event of technological failure.

Following the differences between both chambers, a conference committee was constituted to harmonise the bill. The committee subsequently adopted the Senate’s version, allowing electronic transmission of results alongside manual backup procedures.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has scheduled February 25 for the arraignment of Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.

El-Rufai is to be arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges stem from allegations that the former governor unlawfully intercepted a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA).

On February 18, the DSS briefly took El-Rufai into custody shortly after he had spent two nights with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During an interview on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme aired last Saturday, El-Rufai alleged that “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to listen to the NSA directing security operatives to arrest him.

On Monday, the DSS filed a three-count charge against the former governor, accusing him of intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversation in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over separate allegations of corruption linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor.

The matter is expected to come up for arraignment on February 25.

At least 33 residents have been killed following coordinated attacks by Lakurawa terrorists on several communities in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attackers reportedly struck on Wednesday, invading the communities in an attempt to rustle cattle.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, Bashir Usman, said the armed militants are believed to have crossed into the affected district from Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to the statement, residents of Mamunu, Awasaka, Tungan Tsoho, Makangara, Kanzo, Gorun Naidal and Dan Mai Ago mobilised to resist the attackers, leading to a deadly confrontation that resulted in 33 fatalities.

“The command deeply regrets the loss of thirty-three innocent lives and extends its heartfelt condolences to the families affected and the entire Arewa community,” the statement read.

“Preliminary investigations confirm that armed Lakurawa militants entered the area to rustle cattle. The assailants are believed to have crossed into the district from Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

“Residents from Mamunu, Awasaka, Tungan Tsoho, Makangara, Kanzo, Gorun Naidal, and Dan Mai Ago mobilized in response, during which the fatal confrontation occurred.

“The Command emphasizes that incidents involving armed criminal elements require coordinated security intervention.

“Members of the public are urged to promptly report suspicious movements through established security channels rather than engage directly, as such confrontations pose grave risks.”

The police spokesperson added that security operatives have since been deployed to the affected communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.

In March 2025, six members of a vigilance group were killed by bandits in Dan Tulu and Rusakde villages, also in Arewa LGA, following a cattle rustling incident.