From Cyril Mbah, Abuja
As politicians crisscross the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) campaigning in readiness for the February 2026 elections, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Gwagwalada Area Council, Chief Ezekiel Umar Biko has cautioned candidates of political parties against inducing registered voters with money to part with their voter’s cards or votes.
The candidate disclosed in an exclusive interview in Gwagwalada that some candidates and their agents are already collecting voters cards from innocent citizens and paying N20,000 for the cards with the hope of eventually using the cards to rig the elections.
Umar Biko also disclosed that a certain political party has openly boasted that it voted billions of Naira which will be used for vote buying on election day and he called on relevant anti-corruption agencies to be on the alert and ensure that plans to disrupt free and fair election in the FCT are thwarted in the interest of democracy.
“Even as we are campaigning, a lot of illegal things are happening in the field but it is left for the relevant government agencies to do their work and ensure that the people are allowed to cast their votes in February without interference from desperate politicians who feel they must be the ones to be in office.
“I have always told them, if you feel that you are popular, why must you buy votes? Why will you not test your popularity on the field by allowing the voters to vote for you without inducement or money? The greed for power is pushing many politicians to engage in vote buying and election rigging including engaging in violence during elections,” Biko said.
The candidate advised the electorate to avoid politicians who offer them money for their votes or voter’s cards adding that selling ones’ votes amounts to selling the people’s destiny for pittance and he pointed out that vote buying is largely responsible for non-performance by politicians who simply occupy positions and refuse to do anything.
He expressed confidence that APGA will form the next administration in Gwagwalada Area Council adding, “I deliberately chose APGA as my party and I will sustain the party with whatever it takes to make us return to office. APGA ruled in Gwagwalada before and I am sure that it can happen again, God willing. The structures are still there and the people love the party.”
Umar Biko promised to transform Gwagwalada with cutting-edge projects if voted into office stating that the focus of his administration would be on agriculture, industrial development and youth empowerment among others.
He also promised that Gwagwalada roads that were neglected by many administrations in the past will receive prompt attention while every ward will be connected with pipe borne water within the first 100 days of his administration.
Umar Biko urged voters in Gwagwalada to make the best decision as the election date draws nearer by choosing younger leaders who have the foresight and what it takes to develop the area rather than surrendering their votes to politicians who have nothing to offer the people but would readily buy votes with N2000 or N5000 and spend four years in office with nothing to show to the people.
