I Imposed Curfew For FCT Elections With President Tinubu’s Approval – Wike

Wike, a former governor and a key federal official, was speaking after visiting several polling locations, including in Garki, Karu, Karshi, Wasa, Apo, and Ketti, as part of his oversight of the polls.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he did not impose a curfew across the FCT ahead for Saturday’s area council elections on his own, but acted only with the approval of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike, a former governor and a key federal official, was speaking after visiting several polling locations, including in Garki, Karu, Karshi, Wasa, Apo, and Ketti, as part of his oversight of the polls.

In his remarks, he pushed back against criticisms from the FCT’s representative at the National Assembly, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who had condemned the movement restrictions as undemocratic.

Wike said: “It is unfortunate, I thought as a Senator she should be able to read. I never imposed a curfew on my own. I said with the approval of Mr. President.”

Ahead of the elections, Wike had announced in a broadcast — aired on national television and radio — that Friday would be a work-free day in the capital to prepare for the council polls.

He also declared that movement of people and vehicles across the FCT would be restricted from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.

Senator Kingibe had strongly criticised this move, calling it “unacceptable in a democratic society” because, she argued, it was done without adequate consultation with stakeholders and restricted residents’ freedoms.

In response to the senator’s comments, Wike appeared dismissive, saying he did not want to “join issues” with Kingibe.

He added: “When you hear someone’s speech, why not take time to listen to what was said? She has her problem, I don’t want to join issues. At the end of the election, when the results come out, then we will know.”

Wike also commented on the broader conduct of the council elections, noting that some areas experienced low voter turnout, especially in the FCT city centre.

However, he praised voters for their orderly behaviour, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies deployed across the territory.

He expressed gratitude that, according to reports available to him, “no violence has been recorded yet.”

The minister also commended INEC for its use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and urged residents to remain calm and orderly until the election process was fully concluded.