Development specialist Austin Aigbe has criticised the movement restriction declared during the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, questioning both its tone and its effect on voter perception.
Aigbe spoke on Arise Television on Saturday, February 21, 2026 while reacting to actions by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike: “Mr. Minister took approval from the president to declare a situation that looked like an emergency situation. A situation that looked like a conflict situation. As if FCT was at war with itself.”
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He noted that the announcement was made directly by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike: “He took permission from the president. It wasn’t the minister of information that announced it. It was the minister of the FCT. To say that nobody should move.”
Austin Aigbe also criticized the electoral body’s response to political statements made during the exercise: “INEC missed an opportunity. When the minister said that, don’t worry, if you’re not supporting XYZ, don’t worry, I know we win. The INEC authority immediately showed up. To say, no, your vote will can’t. Go out and vote.”
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He described impressions gathered from residents during his visits to polling areas: “Meanwhile, do you know what the impression? I went around to Kuje and other areas. I was told that, ah, where is the minister? And I said he will come to our polling unit. That we are expecting him to come. They won’t vote until he comes. What are they expecting?”
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