…Writes EU, CSOs, INEC
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, have condemned what she termed the deeply troubling and undemocratic remarks recently attributed to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike. In a statement widely circulated in the media, the FCT Minister was quoted as advising opposition parties not to “waste their time and money” in the upcoming FCT Area Council elections, claiming that “the result is known.”
Kingigbe said such a statement was not only reckless and inflammatory, but dangerous stating that it undermines the very foundation of democracy and directly assaults the constitutional rights of the residents of the FCT.
According to the Senator, all Nigerians deserve free, fair, and credible elections and the insinuations by the FCT Minister that election outcomes are already determined before a single ballot has been cast reeks of impunity, intimidates voters, and disrespects the sacrifices of countless Nigerians who have struggled and fought to preserve the rights of the people to vote in meaningful elections.
“Let me make it abundantly clear: the Federal Capital Territory does not belong to any one man, party, or officeholder. It belongs to the Nigerian people, those who live, work, and raise their children in Abuja’s six area councils. The residents of the FCT are not subjects to be dictated to by any appointee, no matter how powerful. They are citizens with full rights to determine who governs them at all levels,” she stated.
The Senator pointed out that elections in the FCT are administered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not by the Federal Capital Territory Administration adding that any insinuations, overt or subtle, that someone other than the electorate can determine the result of an election is a violation of our laws and a betrayal of the public trust. She equally noted that it was precisely such attitudes that erode public faith in governance and has widened the trust deficit, and inflame tensions which she said the nation’s democracy cannot afford.
Mrs Kingigbe stated that a minister who believes that his achievements and the performance of the FCT administration speaks for itself should be able to welcome open competition and embrace the process of democratic contest rather than fear it.
“What is there to be afraid of if the people are truly satisfied? Why seek to undermine the credibility of the electoral process if you have nothing to hide,” the Senator queried.
The lawmaker said she had already taken steps to formally communicate her concerns to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and the leadership of the National Assembly adding that she had also written to the international partners and observer missions, including the European Union, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the diplomatic community, to take note of the dangerous rhetorics of the Minister and to prepare to closely monitor the electoral environment in the FCT as the elections draw near.
“We must not allow our democracy to be reduced to a mere theatre of manipulation,” she said.
The Senator charged the political parties, all aspirants, the civil society actors, youth groups, and voters across Abuja, not be discouraged, stating that as owners and residents of the territory, they should see the elections as a fight and struggle for the Institution of accountable leadership and credible elections which no one can afford to walk away from.
She also charged to properly organise, mobilise themselves to full participate in the elections.
“Go door to door. Engage with your communities. Speak boldly. And when the time comes, vote decisively,” she said.
The FCT Senate representative assured residents of Abuja of her full commitment to the defence of their rights and the integrity of the electoral process saying that she will use every constitutional and legal means available to her as their representative in the Senate to resist any attempt to subvert the will of the people.
“I will work tirelessly to ensure that the FCT becomes a model of democratic participation, not a symbol of political manipulation. Let no one be in doubt: the 2026 Area Council elections will not be an imposition. They will not be a coronation. They will not be business as usual. They will be a referendum on the state of leadership in the FCT, and the people will have the final say. Not threats. Not propaganda. Not coercion.The FCT will rise. Democracy will triumph. And the voices of the people will be heard loud, clear, and unshaken”, Senator Kingigbe declared.
