Nyesom Wike
Olamilekan Abayomi
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared that he’ll only support candidates backing President Bola Tinubu in the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026. Wike made this stance clear during Senator Sandy Onor’s 60th birthday celebration in Abuja, emphasizing his duty to support Tinubu’s allies.
According to Wike, his support isn’t limited by party affiliation; it’s strictly for candidates aligned with Tinubu’s vision and policies for the FCT. He stated, “I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win. It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate who is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology for my stand.
Wike’s declaration has sparked discussions about political influence and loyalty in local elections. The FCT Area Council elections will determine leadership for community services and development across six area councils.
Senator Sandy Onor, the birthday celebrant, praised Wike as a “credible ally, a trustworthy friend, and good brother”. Onor, a Professor of History, has had a notable career from academia to politics.
Wike’s stance signals federal might may be deployed to influence local council elections in the FCT, raising concerns about the independence of grassroots elections and a level playing field for candidates.
The elections are expected to be keenly contested, with major parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) fielding candidates. However, the Labour Party has been barred from participating due to nomination irregularities .
About 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to participate, with results to be uploaded in real-time using the IReV portal for transparency.
The outcome of this election could have implications for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, considering Wike’s influence in the FCT.
