The Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe has condemned the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike over his comment that the results of the 2026 council polls in the FCT are already known.
In a statement made available to the press on Wednesday and shared across her social media platforms, Senator Kingibe condemned what she described as “reckless, coercive and undemocratic rhetoric” by the FCT Minister.
She revealed that she had written to several key national and international bodies, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser.
She also said she wrote to the leadership of the National Assembly, as well as the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and members of the diplomatic community.
Attached to her statement was a video clip showing Wike at an event in Abuja, in which he is heard saying, “I don’t know those who want to run elections in the area council, I don’t know what they will preach to the people.
“But those who are with us, they have the opportunity to tell people what we have done.
“So let people not waste their money. The result is known.”
The statement, widely circulated on social media, has provoked sharp criticism, with many interpreting it as an attempt to intimidate political opponents and influence the electoral process ahead of time.
Senator Kingibe did not mince words in her reaction, stating, “As the duly elected Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, I feel compelled to respond strongly and unequivocally to the deeply troubling and undemocratic remarks recently attributed to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike.”
“In a statement widely circulated in the media, the Minister was quoted as advising opposition parties not to ‘waste their time and money’ in the upcoming FCT Area Council elections, claiming that ‘the result is known.’ Such a statement is not only reckless and inflammatory—it is dangerous.”
Kingibe argued that Wike’s comments strike at the very heart of democratic values and electoral integrity, and could have far-reaching consequences for the political climate in the FCT.
“It undermines the very foundation of our democracy and directly assaults the constitutional rights of the residents of the FCT, who, like all Nigerians, deserve free, fair, and credible elections,” she continued.
“The suggestion that election outcomes are already determined before a single ballot has been cast reeks of impunity, intimidates voters, and disrespects the sacrifices of countless Nigerians who have struggled and fought to preserve our right to vote in meaningful elections.”
Emphasizing the independence of the electoral process, Kingibe reminded all stakeholders that elections in the FCT are conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not by the FCT Administration or its political appointees.
“Any insinuation—overt or subtle—that someone other than the electorate can determine the result of an election is a violation of our laws and a betrayal of the public trust,” she said.
“It is precisely such attitudes that erode public faith in governance, widen the trust deficit, and inflame tensions that our democracy cannot afford.”
She challenged Wike to put his achievements to the test of electoral competition rather than attempt to short-circuit the process through political strong-arming.
“To the Minister, I say this: if you believe in your achievements and truly think that the work of your administration speaks for itself, then you should welcome open competition. You should embrace the process of democratic contest, not fear it,” she said.
“What is there to be afraid of if the people are truly satisfied? Why seek to undermine the credibility of the electoral process if you have nothing to hide?”
She noted that, “I have today taken steps to formally communicate my concerns…to take note of this dangerous rhetoric and to prepare to closely monitor the electoral environment in the FCT as the elections draw near.”
She also used the opportunity to rally civil society organisations, political parties, youth groups, and ordinary residents of Abuja not to be disheartened by the minister’s comments but to redouble their efforts to ensure participatory democracy.
“To the political parties, aspirants, civil society actors, youth groups, and voters across Abuja, I urge you: do not be discouraged. This is your land, and this is your fight. The struggle for accountable leadership and credible elections is not one we can afford to walk away from,” she charged.
“Organise, mobilise, and participate. Go door to door. Engage with your communities. Speak boldly. And when the time comes, vote decisively.”
In a defiant note, Kingibe vowed to deploy all legal and constitutional mechanisms available to her to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming elections and ensure that the people’s voices are not silenced.
“To the residents of Abuja, I assure you that I remain fully committed to the defence of your rights and the integrity of our electoral process,” she said.
“I will use every constitutional and legal means available to me as your representative in the Senate to resist any attempt to subvert the will of the people.
“I will work tirelessly to ensure that the FCT becomes a model of democratic participation, not a symbol of political manipulation.”
“Let no one be in doubt: the 2026 Area Council elections will not be an imposition. There will not be a coronation. There will not be business as usual.
“There will be a referendum on the state of leadership in the FCT, and the people will have the final say. Not threats. Not propaganda. Not coercion.
“The FCT will rise. Democracy will triumph. And the voices of the people will be heard loud, clear, and unshaken,” she added.
