**APC Takes Early Lead in FCT Council Polls, but Voter Apathy and Vote Buying Mar the Exercise** In the just-concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council polls, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken an early lead in some polling units. Results from the Independent National Electoral Commission's Results Viewing Portal (IReV) show that the APC has polled a significant number of votes in several local government areas. In Kwali Local Government Area, the APC was leading with 2,726 votes, followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 2,104 votes. In Kuje Council Area, the APC led with 615 votes, while in Abuja Municipal Area Council, the APC recorded 2,520 votes. However, the exercise was marred by widespread voter apathy and reported cases of vote buying. The low turnout in many polling units was a stark contrast to the enthusiasm and high expectations that characterized the 2023 general elections. In Abuja Municipal Area Council, for instance, some polling units recorded single-digit or double-digit votes out of hundreds of registered voters. The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Yiaga Africa, both election observer groups, criticized the low turnout, attributing it to administrative shortcomings, including late commencement of voting and missing materials. Vote buying was also reported in some parts of the FCT, with allegations that votes were traded for as much as N10,000 in some polling units in Gidan Mangoro ward. The Situation Room alleged that vote buying was openly done in many polling units visited. Operational lapses were also recorded in some centres, including the late arrival of officials and the omission of voters' names from the displayed register. As the exercise progressed, results uploaded on the IReV portal showed the APC maintaining a significant lead in many areas. However, the controversy surrounding the exercise is likely to cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the results. The low turnout and allegations of vote buying raise serious concerns about the credibility of the election process. As the nation continues to grapple with the implications of the FCT council polls, one thing is clear: the exercise was marred by more than just voter apathy. The reports of vote buying and operational lapses are a stark reminder of the need for electoral reform in Nigeria.