The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has rejected allegations that administrative measures during the February 21 elections hindered voters, insisting that elections are a multi-stage process, not just a single day of voting.
Addressing reporters at a media parley on Monday, Wike said, “That’s attention. You were accused of declaring a curfew or in an attempt to ensure that things go in a particular way that made it impossible for people to come out to vote, that got some people angry and didn’t allow them to come out to vote, and all of that. You see, I have to say this clearly.”
He likened the election process to preparing for exams, stressing that readiness is built over time. “Election is a process. The process can start from nomination of candidates to the process that goes through campaign.
“Before you get to election, so election is not just in that particular day of voting, and let me say before me, you are going to school. You know, exam will come. And exam will be, say, in two, three months’ time.
“Nobody waits for exam to come before you know that you are prepared for the exam. So it’s a process. You must attend classes. You must wait to be prepared for the exam.”
He added, “And that’s why you see students who are not prepared for exams, when it’s an opportunity of students who will say they forgot to do strike, they will call for strike. They will allow them to write the exam. This election you are talking about didn’t just come on the 21st of February. The process has been there.”
Wike also addressed political commentary surrounding the elections. “Remember, as I have already told people, some parties have said that the election of 21st of February will determine the election of 2027.
“Remember, the senator who represents FCT has said that he will use the Dukagopan election to teach me a lesson, that FCT is not a reverse state. Therefore, I believe that the voters are prepared.”
Responding directly to the curfew allegations, Wike clarified, “But let me answer one question before I go back, that I declare coughing. See, that’s why we have to be careful. I had one of the senators say so.
“I know she doesn’t read. She reads love magazines and all those things. If you heard my speech, I said, by the approval of Mr. President, who has sent for people to go back to their area, that’s where they come from, that he has given them one free day, so that they don’t go back late.”
Boluwatife Enome
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