The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at Senator Ireti Kingibe, declaring that politicians who fail to prepare adequately for elections often resort to excuses after suffering defeat.
Wike made the remarks during a media chat in Abuja on Monday while reacting to criticisms trailing the February 21 FCT council election.
In what appeared to be a direct jab at the senator, Wike insisted that elections are not defined by the voting day alone but are the culmination of months of preparation, strategy and grassroots engagement.
“Election is not just that particular date of voting,” he said. “It is a process that begins with nomination of candidates, continues with campaigns, and ends on election day.”
‘You Don’t Wait for Exam Day’
Drawing a controversial analogy, the former Rivers State governor compared electoral contests to academic examinations, arguing that serious contenders prepare long before the final day.
“You are going to school, you know the exam will come in two or three months’ time. Nobody waits for the exam to come before they know they are prepared,” Wike stated.
He added that those who are unprepared often look for ways to avoid accountability.
“That is why you see students who are not prepared for exams, when they see an opportunity, they will search for a strike so they are not allowed to write the exam,” he said.
Though he did not mention Kingibe directly in that remark, the comment was widely interpreted as aimed at critics of the council poll outcome.
‘They Said They Would Teach Me a Lesson’
Wike also referenced earlier statements allegedly made by Kingibe, claiming she had vowed to use the local government election to “teach him a lesson” and prove that the FCT was not Rivers State.
“Remember, the senator that represents FCT has said they will use the local government election to teach me a lesson,” Wike said.
He further recalled that some political actors had suggested the February 21 council poll would determine the political direction of the 2027 general election — a claim he appeared to dismiss.
Responding to allegations that he declared a curfew ahead of the election, Wike denied the claim and accused the senator of misrepresenting his earlier comments.
“The minute the senator said so, I knew she didn’t read,” he said.
According to him, the directive referenced was issued with the approval of the President, granting a work-free day to enable residents travel without returning late, not the imposition of a curfew.
“I never declared any curfew,” Wike maintained.
The exchange highlights growing political tension within the Federal Capital Territory as both figures continue to assert influence in the nation’s capital.
PUNCH