By Adesakin Adefemi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally approved the lifting of movement restrictions on Friday to enable residents to participate in Saturday’s area‑council elections.
The polls saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) clinch five of the six chairmanship seats.
Wike made the disclosure on Sunday night after a meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa, where he also dismissed allegations that his presence at polling units amounted to voter intimidation. “By the approval of Mr President, he said restrictions should be lifted on Friday so people could go back to their area councils and participate in the electoral process,” Wike stated.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had earlier questioned Wike’s presence at polling units, suggesting it was an attempt to intimidate voters.
But the former Rivers State Governor dismissed the criticism, describing his detractors as “busy bodies” who comment without facts. “You must not always comment just because you want to comment. Comment on something you have facts about,” he said.
In the election held on February 21, 2026, the APC secured victories in Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), and one other area council, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won only in Gwagwalada. Wike attributed the APC’s dominance to infrastructure development across the territory, saying the results reflected public appreciation of government performance.
“The message is to show that when there is good work, people appreciate it. Government has won not only in the cities but when you go to the satellite towns, you can see the impact, people who have now seen what government can do,” Wike added.
He maintained that the election was free and fair, stressing that reports from observers confirmed its credibility. “I do know that the conduct was free and fair from the reports,” he said, adding that he did not impose himself on the process. “The President gave approval. I did not impose myself.”
The FCT election was held alongside by‑elections in Rivers and Kano states, marking the first electoral test of the newly signed Electoral Act 2026, which President Tinubu assented to just three days before the polls.
Wike’s remarks come amid mixed reactions from political parties and observers, with some hailing the exercise as transparent and others raising concerns about possible interference. Nonetheless, the APC’s sweeping victory has been widely described as a boost for Tinubu’s administration and its Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister urged residents and stakeholders to focus on development and governance rather than politicizing every action, emphasizing that the election outcome showed that “Nigerians now know the ruling party and the real opposition party.”
