Dare Babalola
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed suggestions that his activities on the day of the recent FCT Area Council elections had any bearing on the outcome of the polls.
Wike, on Monday, defended his movement, stressing that the results reflected the genuine will of the electorate.
He stated that, as the Chief Security Officer of the FCT, he was within his rights to monitor the security situation, noting that he had simply visited ten polling units as part of his oversight duties.
Speaking at a media chat monitored by our correspondent in his official residence in Abuja, Wike said he has the rights permitted by President Bola Tinubu to declare restriction.
Wike said, “I have the rights; we have 3,000 polling units. For security, I have to find out what is going on. I don’t have to be told; I am not a candidate for the election.
“Somebody has said I move about. How many polling units in FCT? FCT has not less than 3,000 polling units. Assuming I went to 10 polling units to check what was going on, how will it affect 3,000 polling units?
“As a candidate, I cannot move around. I must have my agents. As the Chief Security Officer. I have a right to have a view of what is going on and how it affects, influences the election?”
He also blamed the opposition party for not preparing well for the exercise, saying the success recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) showed the performance of President Tinubu-led Federal Government.
Wike had come under attack by Nigerians and opposition for restricting human and vehicular movement in the FCT from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.
Among them is senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, who accused the minister of being autocratic.
Kingibe said Wike’s decision to impose a curfew across the FCT without broad consultation with critical stakeholders is “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents”.
“They are citizens of a democratic republic. Any sweeping restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency.”
Wike hinted to commence a ‘thank you visit’ to area councils for their support.
