Tension Rises As Abuja Youths Disregard Wike’s Election Directive

Several youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday disregarded the directive issued by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike concerning movement restrictions during the ongoing Area Council elections.

Wike had earlier announced a restriction of movement across the FCT and its Area Councils as part of measures for the elections.

Despite the directive, young people were observed in different parts of the capital engaging in recreational activities, including playing football, instead of participating in the voting exercise.

According to reports, such scenes were witnessed in Lugbe, Gwarinpa, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Airport Road, and other locations.

In addition, some commercial taxi drivers, particularly in the outskirts of the city, were said to have ignored the curfew order and continued operating.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, criticised the Minister’s decision to impose the curfew.

In a statement issued through her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, Kingibe described the directive as inconsistent with democratic principles and the constitutional rights of residents.

She stated that residents of the FCT are citizens of a democratic nation, not subjects under authoritarian rule, and argued that any broad restriction on movement and economic activities must be backed by strong justification, transparency, and proper scrutiny.

While acknowledging the need to maintain security and public order, the senator maintained that security concerns should not be used as a blanket excuse for what she described as executive overreach.