The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will ensure only candidates aligned with President Bola Tinubu emerge victorious in the forthcoming February 21 area council elections in Abuja, signaling an assertive political stance ahead of the polls.
Wike made the remarks on Saturday in Abuja during the 60th birthday celebration of Sandy Onor, a former senator who represented Cross River Central. Addressing guests at the event, the FCT minister stated unequivocally that his political support in the council elections would be determined not by party affiliation but by loyalty to President Tinubu.
According to Wike, he considers it both a political and moral obligation to mobilise support for candidates who back the president’s administration, while actively working against the electoral success of those he believes do not align with Tinubu’s leadership.
“We have the FCT area council election coming up on February 21, and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win,” Wike said during his address.
“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate who is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology for my stance.”
The comments have added a fresh layer of political intensity to the buildup to the area council polls, which are expected to shape grassroots governance across the Federal Capital Territory. The FCT comprises six area councils — Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji — each playing a critical role in local administration and service delivery.
Wike’s remarks suggest a strategic effort to consolidate political support for President Tinubu at the grassroots level within the nation’s capital. Observers note that control of area councils carries both administrative and symbolic weight, particularly in Abuja, where federal political power is concentrated.
The minister’s declaration also comes amid calls from candidates and political stakeholders for a free, fair and transparent electoral process. Several aspirants have emphasised the importance of ensuring equal opportunity and impartial oversight during the polls, especially given the high-profile nature of the FCT and the influence wielded by its minister.
In January, Moses Paul, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), publicly appealed to Wike for support. Paul, positioning himself as a performance-oriented aspirant, said he shares the minister’s governance philosophy and commitment to infrastructure-driven leadership.
Describing himself as “Mr Project” — a nickname widely associated with Wike during his tenure as governor of Rivers State — Paul argued that his track record aligns with the minister’s emphasis on visible developmental outcomes. He cited his involvement in supporting the renovation of primary schools and upgrading primary healthcare centres within AMAC as evidence of his commitment to community development.
Paul’s appeal reflects a broader trend among candidates seeking to court the FCT minister’s endorsement, given his significant political influence and administrative authority within Abuja.
Meanwhile, the political dynamics in AMAC have shifted in recent months. Christopher Maikalangu, who was elected chairman of AMAC in 2022 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in April 2025. Maikalangu is now seeking re-election under the APC banner, aligning himself with the ruling party at the federal level.
Maikalangu’s defection is seen by analysts as part of a wider realignment ahead of the council elections, particularly in light of Wike’s open declaration that loyalty to President Tinubu will be a decisive factor in his political support.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a prominent figure in national politics, has maintained a complex political trajectory in recent years. Though a longstanding member of the PDP, he has worked closely with President Tinubu’s administration since his appointment as FCT minister, often drawing attention for his outspoken positions and assertive leadership style.
His latest comments underscore his continued willingness to take clear and sometimes controversial positions in Nigeria’s political landscape. By stating openly that he intends to influence the outcome of the area council elections in favour of pro-Tinubu candidates, Wike has framed the local polls as an extension of broader national political alignments.
Political observers note that area council elections, though technically local in scope, often serve as testing grounds for party strength and voter sentiment ahead of larger electoral contests. In the FCT, where national institutions, foreign missions and key political actors are based, electoral outcomes can carry amplified symbolic significance.
As campaigns intensify ahead of February 21, candidates across party lines are expected to sharpen their messaging around governance performance, community engagement and alignment with federal priorities. Issues such as infrastructure development, primary healthcare, education, sanitation and revenue management are likely to dominate campaign narratives.
However, Wike’s declaration has shifted part of the conversation toward political loyalty and alignment with the presidency. While some supporters argue that harmonising local governance with federal leadership can enhance policy coordination and resource mobilisation, critics caution that electoral processes must remain competitive and transparent to preserve democratic integrity.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to oversee the conduct of the polls, with stakeholders urging adherence to established electoral guidelines to ensure credibility.
With less than a week to the elections, attention remains fixed on how Wike’s stance will influence campaign strategies and voter behaviour across the six area councils. Whether his endorsement proves decisive at the ballot box will become clear once voters cast their votes on February 21.
For now, the FCT minister has made his position unmistakably clear: support for President Tinubu will be the defining criterion in his backing of candidates in Abuja’s upcoming area council elections.
