The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dan Nwanyanwu, has called for full transparency in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils elections, insisting that all votes cast on February 21 must be accurately counted.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, Nwanyanwu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that its technological systems, particularly the IReV portal, function effectively during the polls.
He noted that political tensions in the FCT are rising as alliances shift and some candidates are reportedly being persuaded to step down in support of others. He also referenced a recent Supreme Court decision that he said had impacted one of the participating parties.
According to him, voting patterns in the FCT are often independent and not easily influenced by political grandstanding.
“Residents of the FCT have a pattern when they vote,” he said. “They are not persuaded by noise or arrogance.”
Nwanyanwu cautioned political actors against overconfidence, warning that those who assume widespread victory could face unexpected outcomes.
“This election on Saturday — the votes must be counted, and INEC should test the IReV,” he stressed.
He further described the contest as a local political exercise, noting that voters may differentiate between their choices in local elections and their preferences in national polls.
“You may not support the president’s party in this election, but in other elections you may support the president. This is local politics,” he said.
The ZLP chairman concluded by urging stakeholders to respect the democratic process, emphasizing that no individual or group can single-handedly determine the outcome of the elections in the FCT.
The FCT Area Councils elections are expected to be closely contested amid heightened political maneuvering in the territory.
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