The African Democratic Congress has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his movement across polling centres in Abuja during the ongoing area council elections, describing it as undue interference disguised as “monitoring.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the opposition party faulted the minister’s presence at various voting locations, alleging that his actions amounted to meddling in an electoral process in which he holds no constitutional responsibility.
The ADC argued that Wike, who it claimed is not a registered voter in the FCT, had no official role in the conduct of the elections.
It maintained that, as a serving cabinet member and prominent partisan figure, his appearance at polling units while voting was underway could be perceived as intimidating to voters and electoral officials.
The party further alleged that the minister’s earlier directive imposing restrictions on movement had already created tension among residents, adding that his subsequent tour of polling centres heightened concerns about the integrity of the exercise.
According to the statement, the ADC had received reports of alleged voter suppression and intimidation in parts of the territory.
It also claimed there were indications of collaboration between agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress and certain security operatives.
The party raised concerns over reported disruptions to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal, known as IReV, which it said became inaccessible while results were being collated.
Describing the development as suspicious, the ADC called on the electoral umpire to immediately restore full access to the portal and provide a public explanation for the technical issues.
It urged its supporters and party agents to remain peaceful but vigilant throughout the process, encouraging them to document and report any irregularities observed during the polls.