By Erewunmi Peace

Tension escalated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections today as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) openly criticized the involvement of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the electoral process.

In a statement released on social media, Dr. Moses Paul (ADC) challenged Wike’s influence, declaring that “AMAC is not Obio-Akpor” — a reference to the Rivers State local government where Wike once exerted significant political control.

Dr. Paul accused the minister of attempting to sway the election in favor of certain candidates, asserting that votes in Abuja would be free and fairly counted.

“Our votes will count. This is not Obio-Akpor where results were manipulated,” Paul said.

What Sparked the Controversy?

The frustration stems from recent actions by Minister Wike, including:

Visiting polling units during the election.

Imposing early curfews in some areas.

Statements interpreted by opposition candidates as interference in the electoral process.

The ADC has publicly condemned these moves, calling them direct interventions that could affect the integrity of the polls.

Political Reactions Today
Supporters of the ruling party have defended Wike, saying his presence was meant to ensure peace and smooth conduct of the election. However, the ADC and other opposition figures insist that external influence should not dictate voter outcomes.
Why the “Obio-Akpor”

Reference Matters

The comparison to Obio-Akpor is significant because that local government area has been used in political discourse to highlight alleged strong-arm political practices.

By invoking it, Dr. Paul was emphasizing that Abuja voters will not tolerate similar manipulation.

Stay Updated
We’ll continue to follow developments from the FCT elections. Check back for updates, official statements, and results as they come in.