Ahead of the February 21 area council elections in Abuja, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has defended the implementation of a curfew, claiming that it was within his authority and had the proper approval from President Bola Tinubu.
During a Monday media conference at his office, Wike insisted that he had the power to make security decisions, such as limiting travel, in his capacity as the “governor of the FCT.”
Wike responded to complaints that the restriction on both human and vehicle mobility between 8 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday was solely for security reasons.
“As the governor of 3,000 polling places, I have the rights.” I have to figure out what’s happening for security. I don’t need to be informed that I’m not running for office,” he declared.
The former governor of Rivers State denied that his presence at polling places affected the election’s result.
“I moved around,” someone said. There are at least 3,000 polling places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). How will it impact 3,000 polling places if I visited 10 to see what was happening?
“I am unable to go about as a candidate. My agents must be with me. He asked, “As the Chief Security Officer, I have a right to see what’s happening and how it affects, influences the election.”
Additionally, Wike emphasized that the President supported the decision to enforce the curfew, clarifying that it was not made unilaterally.
Residents and opposition leaders reacted harshly to the curfew, calling it undemocratic and excessive.
Ireti Kingibe, the senator for the FCT, was one of the critics, accusing the minister of acting in an autocratic manner.
According to Kingibe, Wike’s actions were “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.”
They are people who live in a democracy. Any broad restrictions on their freedom of movement and means of subsistence must be supported by strong evidence, examined closely, and implemented transparently, she stated.
