‘Vexatious And Meddlesome’ – ADC Slams Wike Over ‘Interference’ In FCT Polls

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned what it described as interference by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the ongoing Area Council elections in Abuja.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticised Wike’s movement around various polling units in the FCT under what it termed the guise of “monitoring.”

According to the ADC, the minister’s actions amounted to direct interference in the electoral process.

The party argued that Wike, being a cabinet minister and a known partisan figure, has no constitutional role in the conduct of the election.

It also stated that he is not a registered voter in the FCT, insisting that his presence at active polling units risks intimidating voters and electoral officials.

“Wike’s ‘monitoring’ exercise, after unilaterally imposing a curfew on potential voters, represents direct interference in the election,” the statement read.

The ADC described the minister’s presence during voting as “vexatious and meddlesome.”

The party further alleged incidents of voter suppression and intimidation in parts of the FCT, claiming that some security personnel were collaborating with agents of the ruling party.

It also raised concerns over disruptions to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which it said remained inaccessible while results were being collated.

“We find this a curious coincidence and call on INEC to urgently restore full IReV functionality, with a clear public explanation of the disruption,” the party stated.

The ADC urged its party agents and supporters to remain calm but vigilant throughout the process.

It advised them to carefully document any irregularities or incidents observed at polling units across the FCT.

The party reiterated its commitment to defending what it described as the sanctity of the electoral process.