ABUJA, FCT – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attributed the outcome of Saturday’s Area Council elections to the “leadership vision” of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Sunday following the conclusion of the polls, Wike expressed his gratitude to the President for ensuring a peaceful electoral process across the six Area Councils of the nation’s capital. The Minister stated that the conduct of the elections serves as a testament to the administration’s commitment to deepening democracy at the grassroots level.
Tinubu Praises Wike’s ‘Remarkable’ Performance
The Minister’s comments followed a high-level commendation from President Tinubu, who earlier on Sunday praised Wike for his “remarkable achievements” since taking office. The President noted that the Minister’s developmental strides in the FCT had directly translated into political gains for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The performance of the FCT Minister has justified the confidence reposed in him,” the President remarked, adding that the election results across the territory reflected the people’s approval of the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
A Competitive Electoral Landscape
While the APC celebrated a significant victory in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where Christopher Maikalangu was declared winner, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained a strong presence in the satellite councils.
The PDP secured a major win in Gwagwalada, with Mohammed Kasim polling 22,165 votes to defeat the APC candidate. The opposition also claimed victories in Kuje, Bwari, and Abaji, highlighting a diverse political landscape in the territory.
Mixed Reactions to the Polls
Despite the President’s commendation of the “peaceful” process, the election was marked by extreme voter apathy in several wards and allegations of malpractice.
- Kabusa: A woman was arrested at PU 001 with over 20 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
- Lugbe: Reports of open vote-buying were documented at PU 009, LEA Lugbe.
- Garki: INEC faced criticism for deploying a full team of officials to PU 065, a unit with only one registered voter.
Minister Wike dismissed critics of the process, maintaining that the results are the ultimate proof of political relevance. “At the end of the election, we will know who is who,” he stated, reinforcing his alignment with the President’s vision for the FCT.
