‘Vexatious and Meddlesome’ – ADC Slams Wike Over Alleged Interference in FCT Polls

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has denounced what it called Nyesom Wike’s meddling in the current Area Council elections in Abuja as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Wike’s mobility around different polling stations in the FCT under what it called “monitoring” was criticized by the party in a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, its national publicity secretary.

The minister’s actions were considered direct meddling in the election process by the ADC.

Since Wike is a well-known partisan and cabinet minister, the party contended that he had no constitutional authority to influence how the election is conducted.

Additionally, he is not a voter in the Federal Capital Territory, according to the statement, and his presence at polling places runs the danger of frightening voters and election officials.

The statement said, “Wike’s’monitoring’ exercise indicates direct interference in the election after unilaterally imposing a curfew on potential voters.”

During voting, the minister’s presence was deemed “vexatious and meddlesome” by the ADC.

The party further claimed that agents of the ruling party were working with some security personnel to suppress and intimidate voters in various regions of the Federal Capital Territory.

Concerns were also expressed regarding interruptions to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which it claimed was unavailable while the results were being compiled.

With a transparent public explanation of the disruption, the party said, “We find this to be a curious coincidence and call on INEC to urgently restore full IReV functionality.”

In the process, the ADC asked its followers and party agents to maintain composure while being watchful.

It suggested that any anomalies or occurrences seen at polling places within the FCT be meticulously documented.

The party reaffirmed that it will protect what it called the electoral process’ sanctity.