Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has praised residents for their conduct during Saturday’s Area Council elections, saying the outcome demonstrated that voters in the territory cannot be deceived by manipulative campaign tactics.
In a statement shared by his media aide Lere Olayinka on Sunday, Wike in a special broadcast, called out political actors who attempt to influence voters through handouts, saying, “the election further exposed the hypocrisy of people who go about buying corn and groundnut from roadside sellers for the purpose of campaign just to deceive Nigerians… Yesterday, the residents of FCT demonstrated that they cannot be deceived by emergency democrats.”
The minister said the peaceful conduct of the polls reflected the electorate’s commitment to democracy and good governance. He commended voters, particularly in satellite towns, for participating in large numbers and maintaining order throughout the exercise.
Wike also acknowledged the contribution of security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that their professionalism helped ensure a smooth and credible election process.
Highlighting the broader significance of the polls, the minister said the results offered clarity on the political landscape, declaring: “This election has indeed shown that Nigerians now know the ruling party and the real opposition party.”
While congratulating the winners of the council polls, Wike emphasized that their mandate comes with responsibility. “You have been given a mandate to serve the people, and I urge you to do so with humility, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Work tirelessly to improve the lives of the residents, and bring development to our communities,” he said.
The minister also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said has inspired optimism and confidence in the FCT, while pledging that the administration would continue delivering democratic dividends to residents.