Politics
FCT Area Council Elections: ADC Kicks Against ‘Premature’ Curfew, Alleges Voter Suppression
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over what it described as a premature curfew declaration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of Saturday’s Area Council elections.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party faulted the decision to impose movement restrictions from 8:00 p.m., as announced by the FCT Administration under the leadership of Nyesom Wike.
The ADC said the move raises serious questions about the commitment of authorities to conducting a free, fair and credible electoral process.
According to the party, while limited restrictions on movement on election day may be understandable for security and logistical reasons, established democratic practice is for such measures to begin at midnight on the day of the election not several hours earlier.
The ADC warned that enforcing a curfew on the eve of the polls could significantly disrupt voter movement, discourage participation and create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
It stressed that elections must be conducted in an environment that is not only secure but also visibly open, transparent and accessible to all eligible voters.
Residents of Abuja, the party noted, should be able to travel safely to their polling units, remain there until the voting process is concluded and return home without harassment, intimidation or arbitrary restrictions.
The party therefore registered its strong objection to what it termed a premature and unjustified restriction on movement and called on the authorities to immediately review the decision in the interest of democracy and public confidence in the electoral process.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful participation in the elections, the ADC urged security agencies to act professionally, impartially and strictly in accordance with the law.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged voters, political parties, and security agencies to maintain calm, orderliness, and restraint ahead of Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the states of Kano and Rivers.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct polls in the six area councils of the FCT, as well as bye-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies in Rivers State, and Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.
In a statement, President Tinubu called on all eligible voters to participate without fear, stressing that democracy thrives in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect. He appealed to political parties and candidates to avoid violence, inflammatory statements, or any actions that could undermine the electoral process.
The president also warned against intimidation or any form of disenfranchisement, emphasizing that security personnel are deployed to protect lives, property, and the integrity of the vote.
He further urged INEC to ensure smooth accreditation, accurate collation, timely transmission of results, and measures that strengthen voters’ confidence, in line with the 2026 Electoral Act.
“Fellow Nigerians, I commend your civic consciousness and assure you that these elections will reflect the will of the people, strengthening our democratic journey,” President Tinubu said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on voters, security agencies, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct themselves in an orderly manner during Saturday’s polls in the Federal Capital Territory and the states of Kano and Rivers.
The President issued the call in a statement on Friday. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, signed the press release detailing the President’s appeal.
INEC will conduct elections in the six area councils of the FCT and bye-elections in the Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies of Rivers State, and in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.
President Tinubu urged all eligible voters to come out and vote without fear, emphasising that the democratic process thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect.
He appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to shun violence, inflammatory statements, and actions that undermine the credibility of the process.
He cautioned against any form of high-handedness, intimidation, or actions that could disenfranchise voters or erode public trust, stressing that security personnel are present to protect lives, property, and the sanctity of the ballot.
President Tinubu appealed to the Commission to take all necessary measures to bolster voters’ confidence by ensuring timely accreditation, smooth voting processes, accurate collation, and prompt transmission of results, in line with the 2026 Electoral Act.
Onanuga quoted the President as assuring Nigerians of continued government support for institutions responsible for delivering free, fair, and credible elections.
“Fellow Nigerians, I assure you that the Federal Government under my administration will continue to support institutions responsible for delivering free, fair, and credible elections,” President Tinubu said.
“To all residents of the FCT, Kano and Rivers, I commend your civic consciousness. I am confident that these elections will reflect the will of the people and further strengthen our democratic journey as a nation,” the President added.
Politics
“Do Your Own on Saturday and Leave the Rest to Me,” -Wike, Urges Voters to Choose Effective Leaders for FCT Election
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has called on residents to actively participate in the upcoming Area Council elections, urging them to elect candidates who can effectively engage with the government to foster development.
In a video shared by Channels Television, Wike emphasized the importance of choosing leaders who can collaborate constructively with government authorities to ensure progress within their communities.
He stressed that leadership requires cooperation, and voters should prioritize candidates who are aligned with the government’s vision for development.
Wike, known for his no-nonsense approach, asserted, “Do your own on Saturday and leave the other one for me. All those politicians that come to talk stories, I’m not part of them.
My own is talk and do, so I told this man, ‘Look, you have to vote for somebody that can talk to me, and I’ll listen to him.’ You should not vote for somebody that when I go left, he goes right; when I go front, he goes back.”
His remarks reflect his commitment to ensuring that FCT residents vote for leaders who will not only represent their interests but will also work together with government officials to drive meaningful change in the territory.
Wike’s call comes ahead of the election, where he has declared a work-free day on Friday and imposed movement restrictions to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process.