ADC To Wike: No Declaration Of War, No Abuse Of Office Can Override The Will Of The Electorate

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The opposition coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Monday, February 16, 2026, vowed to resist any attempts to subvert the will of the electorate, during the forthcoming Local Council polls in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The ADC’s position is coming against the backdrop of the remarks credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to the effect that only candidates perceived to be loyal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, irrespective of political party affiliation will scale through the FCT Council polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has scheduled election to pick officials for the six FCT Local Government Areas for February 21, 2026.

But in a statement on Saturday February 14, 2026, from Lere Olayinka, his spokesperson, Wike declared his unapologetic intention to frustrate the electoral victory of any candidates believed not to  have embraced the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

In doing so, the FCT Minister said he owes no apology to anyone who may feel offended by his stance on the coming elections

“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on February 21, and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.

“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate that is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election and I owe no apology on my stand”, Wike egregiously declared.

Reacting to the development, the ADC, in a statement on Monday from its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi,  said it considers the FCT Minister’s stance as tantamount to a declaration of war, against  “so-called anti-Tinubu candidates.”

While condemning the threat in its entirety, the ADC warned that such unrestrained rhetorics from the likes of the FCT Minister have the potential to create unnecessary tension and undermine democratic norms and stability.

This is as the party reminded Wike and the All Progressive Congress, APC, as a party that it is only the registered voters, that will determine the outcome of the February 21 local council polls.

The ADC while describing Wike statement as utterly reckless and inflammatory, accused him and his enablers of only trying to harass and intimidate voters ahead of the election.

The ADC, however, affirmed that it will stoutly resist any attempts by the FCT Minister and his political allies to frustrate and subvert the popular will of the people by exploring  all lawful and constitutional means at its disposal.

The party noted that it is not all the same totally surprised at  Wike’s stance, going by the manifest unpopularity of the ruling party among overwhelming majority of Nigerians.

“We consider the Minister’s declaration of war against so called anti-Tinubu candidates not only irresponsible, but dangerous in the current fragile atmosphere of our nation.

“At a time when Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, insecurity and deep political distrust, the last thing the country needs is inflammatory rhetorics from those entrusted with public.office.

“Nigeria is not a battlefield for political vendetta; it is a constitutional democracy. The sovereign will rests with the Nigerian people, not with any President ,not with any Minister, and certainly not with those who mistake access to state power for ownership of the nation.

“We remind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressive Congress APC, Wike and all officials of this administration that Nigerians cannot, and will not be intimidated.

“Attempts to threaten or coerce voters into political submission only advertise their fear. They betray Wike, Tinubu, and APC’s anxiety about popular support, and reveal how deeply disconnected, and unpopular this Government has become in the eyes of many citizens.

“If Wike, the APC and its leaders are confident in their performance, they should submit themselves humbly to the verdict of the electorate.

“The ADC will not sit idly by and watch political actors truncate our democracy. Any attempt, over or cover to subvert the will of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders will be firmly resisted through every lawful means at our disposal .

“We are prepared to mobilise democratic institutions, civil society partners, and the Nigerian people themselves in defence of the sanctity of the ballot”, the ADC vowed.