Nyesom Wike
Olayiwola Mercy
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared Friday, February 20, 2026, a work-free day to enable residents to travel to their communities and participate in the Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday. The minister also imposed a restriction on movement within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 8 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday, citing President Bola Tinubu’s approval.
The work-free day and movement restriction are aimed at ensuring smooth voting and encouraging residents to participate in the elections. Wike urged residents to come out in large numbers to vote for candidates of their choice, emphasizing the importance of conducting themselves peacefully and lawfully during the elections.
The elections will determine the leadership of the six Area Councils in the FCT, and Wike expressed hope that the outcome would facilitate the emergence of quality leaders contributing to development, peace, and prosperity in the territory. He commended President Tinubu for signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to strengthening democratic institutions .
About 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to participate in the elections, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The minister emphasized the importance of respecting the rules, respecting each other, and respecting the outcome of the election, urging residents to show the world that they are a mature and responsible electorate .
Wike also highlighted the significance of the elections, stating that it is a momentous occasion for residents to shape the future of the FCT. He encouraged residents to participate actively in the polls, expressing confidence that the elections would produce leaders who would contribute meaningfully to the development, peace, and prosperity of the FCT.
The movement restriction will be enforced by security agencies, which have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the directive. Residents are advised to plan accordingly and make necessary arrangements to participate in the elections .
In a related development, a PDP candidate in Bwari Area Council has stepped down for the APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa, following Wike’s intervention. The move is seen as a strategic alliance to maintain local harmony and support the APC candidate.
