Wike Reveals How Tinubu’s Bold Directive Secured FCT Poll Victory

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed how President Bola Tinubu’s directive helped the All Progressives Congress (APC) secure a majority of seats in the FCT Area Council elections.

The APC won five of the six Area Council chairmanship positions in the elections held on 21 February 2026.

Speaking during his first monthly media briefing for 2026 in Abuja on Monday, Wike explained the strategy behind the party’s victory.

He said Tinubu instructed him to focus on the FCT’s satellite towns to ensure residents there experienced the impact of governance. According to Wike, the party’s emphasis on these areas, rather than the city center, was decisive.

“Let’s tell ourselves the simple truth. Who would have beaten Asiwaju’s government in this FCT election if all we did was focus on the city? Over the years, ruling parties have struggled to win in the city because the people there talk a lot but rarely come out to vote,” Wike stated.

Wike, who was personally appointed as a minister when Tinubu assumed office, stressed the importance of extending government presence beyond the city.

“The President said we must go to the satellite towns and let them feel the impact of governance. And we did that. When you go to places like Karu, Kabusa, and Wasa, you see how happy the people are. That’s where the voters came out in numbers,” he said.

He added that voter turnout in the city was low compared to the satellite towns, noting, “Where did people not come out? All of them are within the city. But when we reached the satellite towns, people voted and made their voices heard. That’s why APC was able to secure the majority of seats.”