The upcoming elections for the six area councils in Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are significantly different from local elections in the other 36 states, as they are organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This central organization of the elections highlights the unique governance structure in Abuja, where local council elections do not follow the path laid out by state independent electoral commissions (SIECs). As residents prepare to vote, understanding the stakes involved is essential, as the leaders elected will directly influence local governance and services.