FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has responded to Senator Ireti Kingibe’s criticism of the 22-hour curfew imposed for Saturday’s Area Council elections, insisting he acted with the full approval of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking after monitoring polling units across the FCT, Wike dismissed the lawmaker’s claims that the restriction of movement from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday was undemocratic.
“It is unfortunate, I thought as a Senator she should be able to read. I never imposed a curfew on my own. I said with the approval of Mr. President,” Wike stated.
Senator’s Criticism
Kingibe had earlier faulted the curfew on Channels Television’s Politics Today, describing it as unacceptable in a democratic society. She argued that the decision, made without broad consultation with critical stakeholders, was “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.”
“The people of the FCT are not subjects under a dictatorship. They are citizens of a democratic republic,” Kingibe asserted, emphasizing that security concerns cannot justify “executive overreach.”
Minister’s Response
Wike declined to engage in a prolonged exchange with the senator, stating, “She has her problem, I don’t want to join issues. At the end of the election, when the results come out, then we will know.”
Regarding the election conduct, Wike acknowledged low voter turnout particularly in the city center but commended voters for peaceful behavior and praised INEC’s use of BVAS technology.
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