Wike Defends FCT Movement Restrictions Against Kingibe

During a monthly media briefing on October 2023, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), addressed criticisms from Senator Ireti Kingibe regarding movement restrictions during the recently concluded area council elections in Abuja. Wike dismissed allegations of a curfew, stating that there was no official declaration of such measures.

He explained that the President had granted a work-free day to facilitate residents' travel for voting without the risk of returning late at night. Wike further mocked Kingibe, suggesting she did not fully grasp his earlier comments and reiterated that the decision to restrict movement was based on security intelligence to prevent potential violence.

He also mentioned that Kingibe's Senate allies had previously vowed to use local government elections to teach a lesson, contrasting the situation in the FCT with that of River State.