Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared an end to what he termed deceptive campaign tactics following the resounding victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections across the nation's capital.
Wike made the remarks on Sunday, February 22, 2026, during a special broadcast and after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and reported by outlets including Vanguard, Punch, Channels Television, TheCable, Daily Post, Leadership, and ThisDay, the minister hailed the election results as a clear revelation of voters' true preferences based on performance rather than gimmicks.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the APC victorious in five of the six Area Councils: Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured the sole win in Gwagwalada Area Council. Specific results included APC's Christopher Maikalangu retaining AMAC with 40,295 votes, Joshua Ishaku winning Bwari, and other APC candidates prevailing in the remaining councils, while PDP's Mohammed Kasim triumphed in Gwagwalada with 22,165 votes against the APC's 17,788.
Wike credited the outcome to residents' growing political awareness and appreciation for tangible development projects under the Tinubu administration and his leadership in the FCT. He emphasized that voters rejected superficial gestures in favor of accountability and results.
“This election has further exposed the hypocrisy of people who go about buying corn and groundnuts from roadside sellers for the purpose of a campaign just to deceive Nigerians,” Wike stated. “The residents of FCT demonstrated that they cannot be deceived by emergency democrats, who have chosen not to see anything good in our country and its government.”
The minister described such tactics—symbolic acts like purchasing street food during campaigns—as attempts to mislead the public without addressing real issues. He asserted that the polls marked a turning point, proving that Nigerians now clearly distinguish the ruling party from the opposition based on governance records.
Wike praised the peaceful conduct of the elections, attributing it to the maturity of Nigeria's democratic process and citizens' demand for responsible leadership. He highlighted how low voter turnout in some areas did not detract from the message: performance trumps publicity stunts.
“This election has indeed shown that Nigerians now know the ruling party and the real opposition party,” Wike added. He congratulated both the APC and PDP for their respective successes, noting that the participation of multiple candidates ensured the majority's voice prevailed while allowing minority views to be heard.
The minister linked the APC's dominance to visible infrastructure improvements, security enhancements, and urban renewal initiatives in the FCT, which he said have resonated with residents. Observers have credited Wike's hands-on approach—frequent site visits, road constructions, and public service reforms—for boosting the ruling party's appeal in the territory.
The statement came shortly after Wike's meeting with President Tinubu, where discussions reportedly touched on the polls' implications, FCT administration, and broader national matters. Earlier reports indicated Tinubu approved lifting movement restrictions ahead of the elections to facilitate higher participation, a move Wike referenced in defending against interference claims.
The results have intensified political commentary, with the APC's strong showing seen as a boost ahead of the 2027 general elections. Critics from opposition quarters, including the PDP, have challenged some outcomes in court, alleging irregularities, but Wike's comments frame the verdict as a legitimate endorsement of current leadership.
Wike's swipe at "emergency democrats" and deceptive practices echoes ongoing debates about campaign ethics in Nigeria, where symbolic gestures often feature prominently. His remarks underscore a shift toward issue-based voting in the cosmopolitan FCT, where diverse residents prioritize service delivery over theatrics.
As collation concludes and winners prepare to assume office, attention turns to how the APC will leverage this momentum for local governance in areas like primary healthcare, waste management, and infrastructure. Wike reiterated that government policies are being noticed and rewarded at the polls, signaling confidence in the Tinubu administration's direction.
The minister's broadcast serves as both a victory lap for the APC and a warning to opponents that superficial campaigns no longer suffice in an increasingly discerning electorate.
