By Ayomide Otitoju
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday defended his continued support for President Bola Tinubu, saying his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), “appeared not to have learnt” from past experiences.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja, Wike said his backing of Tinubu and candidates aligned with the President’s re-election bid was not new, recalling that he publicly declared his position in 2023.
“I told you in 2023 that even as a PDP man, I was going to work for the President. That is what I did because I believe the other parties did not present serious candidates,” he said, maintaining that his stance remains unchanged.
The minister criticised the internal affairs of the PDP, accusing the party of failing to consult him on its choice of candidates.
“As a minister, my party did not consult me on the candidates they were going to present,” he said, adding that he would support candidates across party lines if they back the President’s second-term ambition.
“It does not matter which party they belong to. If they support Mr President, then I will pitch my tent with them,” he stated.
On the February 21, 2025, FCT Area Council elections, Wike described the electoral process as comprehensive, beginning with candidate nominations and campaigns before voting.
Addressing concerns over movement restrictions announced ahead of the polls, he said the directive, approved by the President, was implemented for security reasons to prevent unrest.
“Movement was restricted from 8 p.m. for security reasons. It was to ensure that people did not import troublemakers into the city,” he said, dismissing claims of voter disenfranchisement.
“The election was on Saturday, and voting took place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. You cannot say people were not allowed to vote,” he added.
Wike also rejected allegations that he influenced the outcome of the polls, stressing that he was not a candidate.
“I was not on the ballot. I never told anyone not to vote for any candidate. All I said was that I would support candidates who support Mr President,” he said.
He urged aggrieved parties to seek redress at the election tribunal if dissatisfied with the results.
“If anyone is dissatisfied, they should go to the tribunal. Let the tribunal cancel the election and order a rerun if necessary. The outcome will not be different,” he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won five of the six chairmanship seats across the FCT Area Councils, securing victories in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje, while the PDP clinched the chairmanship in Gwagwalada.
