- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has slammed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over his presence at polling units, stressing that he has no right to monitor the conduct of the 2026 FCT Council Election.
NPO Reported that Wike had earlier on Saturday embarked on inspection of pollings units across the capital city.
While he had decried the low turnout at the poll, Wike hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful conduct of the election.
Reacting to the FCT Minister’s inspection of polling units, the ADC in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, held that Wike has no constitutional role in the voting exercise.
The party alleged that Wike’s presence had only stirred vexation and intimdation of voters as well as election officials.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) 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.
“He is not a registered voter in the FCT, and as a known partisan and cabinet minister, Wike has no constitutional role in the election exercise.
“His presence during active voting is therefore not only vexatious and meddlesome, but also risks intimidating voters and officials.” The statement partly read.
ADC further expressed concern over reports of voters suppression, intimidation and alleged collaboration between APC agents and some security personnel.
The larty also noted disruptions to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which it claimed inaccessible even as results are being collated.
“We find this a curious coincidence and call on INEC to urgently restore full IReV functionality, with a clear public explanation of the disruption.
“We urge all our party agents and voters to remain calm but vigilant, and to document all incidents.” The party said.