FCT Polls: ADC Condemns Wike’s Presence at Polling Units, Alleges Voter Intimidation
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Saturday criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for visiting polling units in Abuja during the Area Council elections, describing his actions as “direct interference” and a possible source of voter intimidation.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Wike’s tour, which came after a curfew was imposed on prospective voters, amounted to direct interference in the electoral process.
“The African Democratic Congress strongly condemns the movement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, around various polling units in Abuja under the guise of monitoring.
“Wike’s monitoring exercise, after unilaterally imposing a curfew on potential voters, represents direct interference in the election,” the statement reads.
The party further stated that Wike “is not a registered voter in the FCT, and as a known partisan and cabinet minister, he has no constitutional role in the exercise.”
The statement also cited reports of voter suppression and intimidation, including “alleged collaboration between APC agents and some security personnel,” and urged ADC party agents and voters to “remain calm but vigilant, and to document all incidents.”
It additionally raised concerns over disruptions to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, noting it “has remained inaccessible even as results are being collated,” and called on the electoral commission to “urgently restore full IReV functionality, with a clear public explanation of the disruption.”
ADC described Wike’s presence during active voting as “vexatious and meddlesome” and said it “risks intimidating voters and officials,” urging citizens to report any irregularities to protect the integrity of the elections.
Earlier, videos shared by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, showed the minister at polling units in Karu, Karshi, and Garki.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise and interacting with voters, Wike said the elections were peaceful, security personnel had performed well, and turnout was “quite impressive” in satellite towns, though low in the city centre.
