Wike defends FCT curfew, says movement did not affect polls

By Goli Innocent

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the curfew imposed ahead of the February 21 area council elections.

Wike insisted that he acted within the law and with presidential approval, adding that security considerations informed the decision.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike declared, “I have the right. I am the governor of 3,000 polling units.”

He explained that as chief security officer of the FCT, he was obligated to monitor developments across the territory.

Responding to criticism over his movement during the polls, he said, “Assuming I went to 10 polling units to check what was going on, how will it affect 3,000 polling units?”

He stressed that he was not a candidate in the election and therefore had no political interest to protect.

“As a candidate, I cannot move around. I must have my agents,” he said. “But as the Chief Security Officer, I have a right to have a view of what is going on.”

Wike also blamed opposition parties for their performance at the polls, arguing that the outcome reflected support for President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party.

However, the decision to restrict movement from Friday night to Saturday evening drew sharp criticism.

Senator Ireti Kingibe described the curfew as “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.”

Kingibe maintained that residents “are citizens of a democratic republic” and said any sweeping restriction on movement “must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency.”