Abuja Curfew:  “Tinubu Approved Of My Action”, Wike Clarifies, Counters Kingibe

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said that he did not act unilaterally and arbitrarily in declaring movement restrictions during Saturday’s Council polls.

The Source reports that Wike apart from declaring Friday February 20 ,2026 as work free day, also imposed movement restriction from 8.00pm Friday to 6.00pm on  Saturday.

However ,the decision to lockdown Nigeria’s capital elicited widespread indignation and condemnation , with not a few questioning the moves behind the suffocation of economic and social activities in the name of election.

Specifically ,the Senator representing the FCT at the National Assembly, Ireti Kingibe, took a swipe at Wike’s action, accusing him  of executive high-handedness and overreach.

In a statement on Friday , Senator Kingibe  condemned Wike’s belligerent posture and unwillingness to consult before taking fundamental decisions that impacts on the democratic rights of the people.

She accused Wike of locking down the Federal Capital without caring to interface with key stakeholders.

But reacting to Senator Kingibe’s allegations, Wike insisted that the decision to restrict movement during the election was taken after due consultation with, and approval from President Bola Tinubu.

Wike, who spoke while monitoring the conduct of the FCT election, said he would not want to join issues with Senator Kingibe.

“She (Senator Kingibe) has her problems. I don’t want to join issues with her. At the end of the election, the results will speak for themselves.

“In any case, I never imposed a curfew on my own. I acted with the approval of Mr President . It is unfortunate that this was misunderstood”, Wike stated