The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the movement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, around various polling units in Abuja under the guise of “monitoring.”
Wike’s so-called monitoring exercise, coming after the imposition of a curfew that restricted the movement of potential voters, amounts to direct interference in the electoral process. As a cabinet minister and known partisan actor who is not a registered voter in the FCT, he has no constitutional role in the conduct of elections in the territory. His presence at polling units during active voting is not only inappropriate and provocative, but also capable of intimidating voters and electoral officials.
This position was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
In a similar vein, the ADC has received troubling reports of voter suppression and intimidation in parts of the FCT, including alleged collaboration between agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and certain security personnel.
We are also concerned about disruptions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which has reportedly remained inaccessible even as results are being collated. We find this development highly suspicious and call on INEC to urgently restore full functionality of the portal, accompanied by a clear and transparent public explanation for the disruption.
The ADC urges all its party agents and supporters to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding. All incidents of intimidation, suppression, or procedural irregularities should be carefully documented and reported through appropriate channels.
The integrity of the electoral process must be protected at all times. Democracy can only thrive where transparency, fairness, and the rule of law prevail.
