Ireti Kingibe, the senator for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has come under fire from Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT, for criticizing the movement restrictions imposed during the recently ended Abuja area council elections.
Speaking at his first monthly press conference for 2026, Wike refuted claims that he enforced a curfew, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had authorized the order limiting mobility.
The minister insisted that he did not announce a curfew or a public holiday in the FCT, despite what the public had claimed.
“Let me respond to one question: I heard the senator say that I had declared curfew,” Wike stated.
“I never declared a curfew or public holiday, and I stated that movement is restricted starting at 8 p.m. with Mr. President’s approval.”
He clarified that in order to allow citizens to travel to their local councils to cast their ballots without having to return late at night, the President has approved a work-free day.
In case she heard what I had to say, he continued, “With the permission of Mr. President, who had instructed people to return to their local council where they originate, he has granted a day off from work so that you don’t return late as opposed to Saturday.”
Wike also made fun of Kingibe, implying that she didn’t fully comprehend his previous statements.
Although she reads love magazines and other publications, I am aware that she is not a reader. “If she heard my speech,” he trailed off while restating the president’s support for the policy.
He went on to say that the decision to limit movement in order to prevent potential violence was influenced by security intelligence.
“They don’t have the security reports I have as a minister who works for the president.
“This isn’t the first time, and we didn’t want anyone to mention violence during the election,” he stated, citing an intelligence assessment.
The senator and her supporters had previously promised to use the local government election to “teach him a lesson,” according to the former governor of Rivers State.
“Keep in mind that the senator who represents the Federal Capital Territory has stated that they will use the local government election to show me that FCT is not Rivers State.
He stated, “Therefore, I think that they ought to have prepared.”
