FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says the recently concluded Area Council elections have drawn a sharp line between Nigeria’s genuine political forces and what he calls opportunistic politicians who perform grassroots solidarity only when cameras are rolling.
Speaking in a national broadcast on Sunday evening, Wike took particular aim at politicians who visit roadside vendors during campaign season as a publicity stunt. “The election has further exposed the hypocrisy of people who go about buying corn and groundnut from roadside sellers just to deceive Nigerians,” he said, suggesting that FCT residents have grown wise to such tactics.
The minister argued that the election results amounted to a public rebuke of those he described as “emergency democrats” — politicians who position themselves as voices of the people while refusing to acknowledge any progress under the current administration.
Wike credited the outcome to President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda has rebuilt public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He also commended INEC and security agencies for conducting a largely peaceful and transparent exercise.
Despite the ruling APC’s dominant showing, Wike acknowledged victories by both the APC and the PDP, framing the outcome as proof that democratic competition remains alive — with the majority carrying the day while minority voices are still heard.
Turning to the newly elected council chairmen and councillors, the minister struck a cautionary tone, urging them to treat their victories as a mandate to serve rather than a prize to be flaunted. He also promised that the FCT Administration would continue pushing infrastructure development to satellite towns across the territory.
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