Okutepa Condemns FCT Elections, Warns of Deeper Crisis Ahead of 2027

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jibrin Samuel Okutepa has delivered a scathing assessment of the February 21 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, describing the exercise as a fraudulent process that failed to reflect the will of the electorate.

In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Okutepa said the election did not meet the basic standards of transparency, fairness, and credibility.

He faulted the declaration of a work-free day before the polls and the reported restrictions on movement, saying these actions created suspicion and undermined public confidence in the process.

He referenced viral images of allegedly altered EC8A result sheets, which appeared to show inflated vote totals and manipulated entries.

According to him, such irregularities are unconstitutional and amount to a direct assault on democratic principles, particularly the idea that sovereignty belongs to the people.

Okutepa stressed that Nigeria urgently needs sweeping electoral reforms.
He argued that manual collation must stop, results with visible alterations should be cancelled, digital processes should be fully adopted, and electoral officials must face stronger accountability measures.

He also criticized opposition parties, describing them as fragmented and ineffective in confronting the alleged irregularities that marred the polls.
The Senior Advocate, who founded J.S. Okutepa SAN & Company, warned that the 2027 general elections could face even deeper legitimacy crises if decisive reforms are not implemented immediately.

He said Nigeria’s democracy is under serious threat and requires systemic intervention to protect future electoral outcomes.