Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations of election rigging leveled against his political allies, stating that those accusing them have no developmental achievements to campaign with.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Right-Hand Service Carriageway of the Inner Northern Expressway, stretching from Ring Road Three to the Outer Northern Expressway.
According to The PUNCH, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently announced that the FCT Area Council elections will take place on February 21, 2026. In response, political parties have begun selling nomination and expression of interest forms for chairmanship and councillorship positions, alongside setting dates for their primaries.
Addressing the political climate ahead of the polls, Wike took aim at his opponents, suggesting they lacked the track record needed to win voter confidence.
“Those who want to run for elections in the area councils—I don’t know what they will tell the people. But our allies can show the people real work. We’ve inaugurated roads, schools, and bus terminals across FCT communities,” Wike said.
He further stated, “Don’t claim rigging when you lose. This project is the rigging—providing what the people want is the real strategy.”
Highlighting the newly commissioned expressway, Wike revealed that the road project, originally awarded in 2014 at a cost of N7 billion, was completed at a revised sum of N31 billion due to inflation and other variations.
He lauded President Bola Tinubu for his consistent support in enabling infrastructural development in the FCT, stressing that road networks are essential to attracting investment and driving economic growth.
“Road infrastructure is key to economic development. No investor wants to come and construct roads; they want to see the basics already in place. That’s why we appreciate Mr. President for supporting us consistently. Abuja is growing because of his backing,” the Minister added.
With the 2026 elections on the horizon, Wike’s remarks set the tone for what may be a development-focused campaign season in the FCT, with performance and infrastructure likely to dominate political narratives.
Comments