President Bola Tinubu has called for restraint and orderliness as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), conducts bye-elections and local polls on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano and Rivers States.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Startegy Bayo Onanuga in a statement said the INEC is due to conduct voting in the FCT’s six area councils, alongside bye-elections in Rivers’ Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies, and Kano’s Municipal and Ungogo seats.
The statement, said Tinubu urged voters to turn out “without fear”, fostering an atmosphere of “calm, tolerance and mutual respect”.
President Tinubu implored political parties, candidates and supporters to avoid violence, inflammatory rhetoric or actions that could undermine the process.
NewsQuest reports that security agencies were warned against “high-handedness” or intimidation that might disenfranchise voters, with their role framed as protecting lives, property and the ballot’s integrity.
President Tinubu also pressed INEC to build voter confidence through timely accreditation, smooth voting, accurate collation and prompt result transmission, in line with the 2026 Electoral Act.
“Fellow Nigerians, I assure you that the Federal Government under my administration will continue to support institutions responsible for delivering free, fair, and credible elections.”
Praising the “civic consciousness” of residents in the affected areas, the President expressed confidence that the polls would reflect the people’s will and bolster the country’s democratic progress.
