The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for visiting polling units during the FCT Area Council elections, describing his actions as interference in the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the minister’s movement around polling centres under the guise of monitoring was inappropriate and potentially intimidating to voters.
“The African Democratic Congress strongly condemns the movement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory around various polling units in Abuja. His so-called monitoring exercise, especially after imposing a restriction of movement, amounts to direct interference in the election,” the statement said.
The party argued that Wike, not being a registered voter in the FCT and serving as a cabinet minister with known partisan affiliations, has no constitutional role in the conduct of the elections.
ADC also raised concerns about alleged voter suppression and intimidation, citing claims of collaboration between agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some security personnel. It urged its agents and supporters to remain calm, vigilant, and document any irregularities.
The party further expressed concern over reported disruptions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which it said was inaccessible while results were being collated. It called on the electoral body to urgently restore the portal and provide a public explanation for the disruption.
Describing the minister’s presence at active polling units as “vexatious and meddlesome,” the ADC warned that such actions risk undermining voter confidence and the credibility of the exercise.
Earlier reports indicated that videos shared by Wike’s media aide, Olayinka Lere, showed the minister at polling stations in Karu, Karshi, and Garki.
However, speaking after touring several locations, Wike maintained that the elections were peaceful. He commended security agencies for their performance and noted that voter turnout was impressive in satellite towns, though relatively low in the city centre.