ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hailed the outcome of the February 2026 Area Council elections as a “moment of truth,” claiming the results exposed the hypocrisy of opposition figures like Peter Obi who rely on cheap populist tactics to sway voters.
In a special broadcast on Sunday following the announcement of results, Wike took a direct swipe at Obi and his allies, who campaigned heavily for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after internal crises sidelined the Labour Party from the ballot.
“This election has exposed the hypocrisy of those who think they can deceive our people by buying roadside corn and groundnuts just weeks before the polls,” Wike said. “Nigerians are wiser now. They can distinguish between those offering real governance and the emergency democrats who only show up when it’s time to hunt for votes.”
APC’s Near Sweep
The results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a dominant performance by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which secured five out of the six Area Councils in the FCT.
The results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a dominant performance by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which secured five out of the six Area Councils in the FCT.
The APC candidates emerged victorious in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Abaji, Kuje, and Kwali. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) managed to hold onto a single stronghold, clinching victory in Gwagwalada. Despite Peter Obi’s active grassroots campaigning for ADC candidates—including a high-profile visit to Gudu Market—the ADC failed to secure a single council seat.
Wike attributed the APC’s sweeping success to the tangible impact of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda within the capital. He noted that the massive infrastructure drive in the FCT provided a “performance-based” campaign that resonated more with residents than the “theatrical displays” of his rivals.
‘Real Opposition’ vs. ‘Social Media Candidates’
The Minister further asserted that the polls served as a reality check for Peter Obi’s political influence in the FCT, where Obi had won decisively during the 2023 presidential election.
The Minister further asserted that the polls served as a reality check for Peter Obi’s political influence in the FCT, where Obi had won decisively during the 2023 presidential election.
“The people have spoken loudly. They have chosen progress over propaganda,” Wike stated. “You cannot run a government on social media or by pricing corn on the street. True leadership is about presence and delivering for the people, and that is what the APC has shown.”
Wike also commended the security agencies and INEC for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, noting that the absence of major violence proved that the FCT remains a model for democratic maturity. The newly elected chairmen are expected to be sworn in later this week, solidifying the APC’s grip on the nation’s capital ahead of the 2027 general elections.
