FCT Poll: I’ll Ensure Any Candidate Not Supporting Tinubu Won’t Win — Wike Declares
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that only candidates loyal to President Bola Tinubu will receive his backing in the upcoming FCT Area Council elections.
Wike made this position known in Abuja during a public event held to mark the 60th birthday of Senator Sandy Onor.
He described his political stance as a responsibility tied to his role in the current administration.
In a statement released through his media aide, the minister said party affiliation would not matter. What would matter, he explained, is total support for the President’s leadership and policies.
“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on February 21, and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.
“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate that is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology on my stand,” Wike was quoted as saying.
The FCT Area Council elections will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Polling is expected to begin by 8:30 a.m. across approved voting centres in the territory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that about 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to take part in the exercise. Voters will elect chairmen and vice chairmen in the six area councils, as well as councillors across 68 wards.
INEC also announced that election results will be uploaded in real time using the IReV portal. The commission said the measure is meant to improve transparency and public trust in the process.
Political parties have intensified preparations ahead of the poll. The All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and African Democratic Congress have all presented candidates for the contest.
On security, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it has deployed about 4,000 personnel across the FCT to ensure a peaceful election.
However, the Federal High Court has barred the Labour Party from participating in the election due to alleged irregularities in its nomination process.
