FCT Polls: Group Rallies Students, Residents For Massive Voter Turnout

Ahead of the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT Students Campaign Council has called on students, stakeholders and residents to come out en masse to participate in the polls and vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Coordinator of the group, Comrade Adeyeye Olugbenga, who made the call in a press statement, urged the electorate to demonstrate their civic responsibility by actively taking part in the election of chairmen and councillors across the six area councils.

Olugbenga said massive turnout by students and residents would reflect their appreciation for the educational reforms and youth-focused policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He cited initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), efforts to maintain an uninterrupted academic calendar, increased investment in vocational training, and the decentralisation of student engagement structures.

According to him, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed a total of N161.97 billion to students nationwide, benefiting more than 864,000 undergraduates since its launch in May 2024.

He further disclosed that as of January 6, 2026, the fund had received 1,332,966 applications from inception, with 4,462 new applications recorded on the last reporting day, representing a 0.3 per cent increase.

Providing a breakdown of the disbursements, the coordinator stated that N89.94 billion had been paid directly to tertiary institutions as tuition and institutional fees, while N72.03 billion had been released to students as upkeep allowances.

Olugbenga also commended the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for what he described as unprecedented achievements in infrastructure and governance, as well as his “fatherly relationship” with the student community in the territory.

Meanwhile, Wike has declared Friday, February 20, 2026, a work-free day in the FCT and announced a movement restriction across the territory from 8:00 p.m. on Friday to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday to ensure smooth conduct of the elections.

The minister, who made the announcement in a special broadcast aired on national television and radio stations, said the decision was taken with the approval of President Tinubu to enable residents travel to their communities and participate fully in the polls.

He urged residents to turn out in large numbers and conduct themselves peacefully.

“Let us respect the rules, respect each other, and respect the outcome of the election. We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum,” he said.

Security agencies have been directed to enforce strict compliance with the movement restriction, while the FCT Administration expressed optimism that the elections would produce leaders committed to development, peace and prosperity in the territory.