The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned what it described as “anti-democratic antics” by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleging that his actions undermined the credibility of the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group expressed concern over the reportedly low voter turnout during the polls and blamed it on measures allegedly taken by the FCT administration ahead of the elections.
HURIWA further accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to rein in his appointee, noting that under the Constitution, the President is the political head of the Federal Capital Territory.
The group alleged that the FCT Minister imposed restrictions and deployed heavy security presence in a manner that discouraged voters from freely accessing polling units. It described the security deployment around polling centres as excessive and intimidating.
Central to HURIWA’s criticism was the declaration of a curfew from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday, which the group argued made it difficult for residents to move freely on election day. According to the association, the restrictions, combined with a strong security presence, created an atmosphere of fear that discouraged participation.
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The group claimed that local council elections in the FCT had historically been conducted peacefully and without heavy security enforcement, and expressed concern that the latest poll deviated from that pattern.
HURIWA also faulted what it described as the “militarisation” of the electoral process, alleging that armed personnel were seen moving around polling units during the exercise.
The civil rights group further referenced comments made by Wike at a campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Apo District, where he urged supporters to back the party’s candidates in the Area Council elections.
At the rally, Wike had encouraged voters to support candidates who would maintain a cooperative relationship with his office and told supporters to “do your own on Saturday and leave the other ones for me,” remarks that have since generated public debate.
HURIWA argued that such comments, coming days before the polls, raised concerns about the perceived neutrality of public office holders in an electoral process.
The group also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that the electoral body failed to publicly address the minister’s pre-election remarks in order to reassure voters about its independence.
HURIWA stated that the credibility of the electoral umpire depends not only on the conduct of the vote itself but also on public confidence in its impartiality.
The FCT Area Council elections held on February 21, 2026, saw residents vote for six Area Council Chairmen across Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali, as well as councillors in 62 wards.
While INEC is yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the allegations raised by the rights group, the controversy surrounding the conduct of the polls has added to ongoing political tensions in the Federal Capital Territory.