The Obidient Movement has expressed concern over what it described as a possible malfunction of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IREV), alleging that results uploaded from several polling units during the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections were not reflecting on the public server.
The allegation comes as voters across the six area councils of the FCT—Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali—cast their ballots to elect chairmen and councillors. The local government polls are widely regarded as a significant barometer of grassroots political strength in Nigeria’s capital and have drawn considerable attention from political stakeholders.
In a statement issued on Saturday and titled “Alert from the Obidient Movement Headquarters,” the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, urged supporters and the general public to remain alert during the collation process.
“Information reaching us indicates that the IREV server is active but not displaying results that were reportedly uploaded successfully from various polling units,” the statement read.
IREV, introduced by INEC in recent electoral cycles, is designed to enhance transparency and public trust in the electoral process. The portal allows citizens, political parties, and observers to view polling unit results in real time after they are uploaded directly from the field by electoral officials. The system has been promoted as a technological safeguard against manipulation during the collation phase.
According to the Obidient Movement, however, reports from agents and observers suggested that although results were uploaded from certain polling units, they were not visible on the IREV platform. The group stopped short of accusing INEC of deliberate wrongdoing but called for heightened vigilance to ensure the integrity of the process.
“All Obidients and Nigerians are therefore encouraged to remain alert and vigilant,” the statement continued. “If necessary, we urge everyone to proceed peacefully to the Area 10 INEC office and Karu for the collation process and observe developments closely.”
The movement also advised supporters to ensure they possess accurate records of results from their respective polling units for verification purposes during collation. It emphasized the importance of calm and lawful conduct while monitoring the process.
“Ensure that you have the accurate results from your respective polling units for proper verification. Let us remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process through peaceful and lawful means,” Tanko said.
The FCT Area Council elections are being closely watched by political actors and analysts, as outcomes in the six councils could offer insight into shifting political alignments in the nation’s capital. Although local government elections typically attract less national scrutiny than presidential or gubernatorial contests, the FCT’s unique political status and demographic diversity give the exercise added significance.
Observers note that technology-driven transparency mechanisms like IREV have become central to Nigeria’s electoral reforms. Following controversies surrounding past elections, INEC had committed to leveraging digital tools to bolster credibility, particularly in the transmission and public display of results.
Any perceived disruption or irregularity involving the portal is therefore likely to generate public concern.
As of press time, INEC had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by the Obidient Movement. There was no confirmation from the commission regarding whether any technical issues had been detected or resolved.
Electoral technology experts caution that temporary delays in result visibility on public portals can sometimes stem from connectivity challenges, server load, or synchronization lags, particularly during peak upload periods. However, they emphasize that prompt communication from the electoral body is critical to maintaining public confidence.
The Obidient Movement’s call for peaceful observation of the collation process reflects heightened sensitivity around result management in Nigeria’s electoral landscape. Collation centers—where results from multiple polling units are aggregated and finalized—have historically been flashpoints for disputes.
By encouraging supporters to attend collation centers in Area 10 and Karu, the group signaled its intention to maintain close oversight of the process while stressing adherence to lawful conduct.
Political analysts say the situation underscores the broader challenge of balancing technological innovation with public expectations. While digital result portals are intended to enhance transparency, any real or perceived malfunction can quickly become a source of suspicion in a highly polarized political environment.
The FCT elections are also unfolding against a backdrop of increasing citizen engagement in electoral processes. Civic groups and political movements have expanded their monitoring networks, leveraging both physical observation and digital tracking tools to follow developments in real time.
For many voters, the credibility of the election hinges not only on the conduct of voting but also on the transparency and accuracy of collation and result publication.
As collation continues across the six area councils, attention remains focused on the functionality of the IREV portal and INEC’s response to the concerns raised. Whether the alleged glitch represents a temporary technical issue or a more substantive problem remains to be clarified.
In the meantime, the Obidient Movement has reiterated its commitment to peaceful participation and lawful oversight, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant while upholding democratic norms.
The coming hours are likely to prove critical in determining both the outcome of the elections and public confidence in the processes designed to safeguard them.
