Prosper Okoye
Voting in parts of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, got off to a slow start on Saturday, with delays and low turnout reported in several polling units.
In Jikwoyi, elections scheduled to begin at 08:30 had yet to start, while in nearby Karu, voting had commenced but with only a handful of voters present, according to observations by Prime Business Africa.
Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the delays were due to late briefings at distribution centres and difficulties locating polling units.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“We lost our way so many times,” said Geoffrey Cyprian, a polling officer in Tokaa Village, Jikwoyi. He added that efforts would be made to ensure all eligible voters are able to cast their ballots.
Despite the setbacks, some voters remained determined. Goodness Hassan, who said she had been waiting since 07:00, expressed confidence in the process. “Our votes must count,” she said, urging officials to ensure a fair exercise.
At the CBN Quarters polling units in Karu, turnout remained sparse as of mid-morning. At one unit with more than 700 registered voters, only two people had voted by 09:48, while a nearby unit recorded just three voters.
Polling officials described the turnout as unusual but said they expected numbers to improve. “Maybe people stayed back for breakfast,” said Kudirat Musa, an officer at one of the units.
Some voters also reported difficulties locating their polling units. One voter, Asogwa Martin, left a polling station visibly frustrated after officials were unable to find his details.
“I have been voting here for many years and they said they can’t find my name,” he said.
He added that low turnout may be linked to a loss of confidence in government, as many voters feel they have not seen meaningful change over time.
Observers noted that voter registers had not been displayed in advance, making it harder for some residents to confirm where to vote.
A similar pattern was seen in Asokoro, near the ECOWAS Secretariat, where only three people had voted by 10:26 at a polling unit with more than 2,800 registered voters.
Officials said that aside from minor technical issues with the BVAS voter accreditation system, which were quickly resolved, the voting process had been largely smooth.
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Observers, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Ministry of Interior, were sighted at polling units. Party agents, particularly from the All Progressives Congress (APC), were also present at many polling units and expressed optimism about their chances.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
