The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will throw his weight behind only candidates who openly support President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
Wike made the declaration on Saturday in Abuja during the 60th birthday celebration of Senator Sandy Onor, describing his position as a responsibility he owes to the President.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister emphasized that party affiliation would not determine his support. Rather, he said his backing would go to any candidate aligned with President Tinubu’s policies and agenda.
“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on February 21, and I have a duty to support any candidate who supports President Tinubu to win,” Wike stated.
He was unequivocal about his stance, adding, “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 stand.”
The 2026 FCT Area Council elections will take place on Saturday, February 21, with voting expected to commence at 8:30 a.m. across designated polling units.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), approximately 1.68 million registered voters have been cleared to participate in the exercise. Electors will choose chairpersons and vice-chairpersons across the six area councils, as well as 62 councillors representing 68 constituencies.
INEC has confirmed that the IReV portal will be deployed for real-time viewing of results to enhance transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
Major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and African Democratic Congress, have fielded candidates for the poll.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has announced the deployment of about 4,000 personnel across the territory to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
In a related development, a Federal High Court recently barred the Labour Party from fielding candidates in the election over alleged nomination irregularities.
Wike’s remarks are expected to heighten political conversations in the FCT as parties intensify campaigns ahead of the crucial grassroots contest.
