Abuja Area Council Polls: Wike’s “Leave the Rest for Me” Remark Draws Scrutiny Amid Reported Irregularities -

Last Updated on 21 February 2026

ABUJA — February 21, 2026

Voting is underway across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, as reports of logistical delays and technical disruptions emerge from AMAC, Bwari, Kuje, and Gwagwalada.

The developments coincide with widespread circulation of a video showing the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, addressing supporters ahead of the poll. In the clip, he appears to say: “Do your own on Saturday and leave the rest for me—I’ll handle it.”

The remark has sparked debate online and among political actors, particularly as collation begins across the territory.

1. Reported Election-Day Irregularities

Field reports from voters, party agents, and local observers indicate:

Area Council	Primary Issue Reported	Status
AMAC	Late arrival of materials in parts of Wuse and Gwarinpa	Collation ongoing
Bwari	BVAS configuration delays causing extended accreditation time	Night collation reported
Gwagwalada	Isolated ballot paper shortages in rural wards	Agent verification disputes
Kuje	Logistical delays reaching remote polling units	Results processing ongoing

At the time of publication:

No official confirmation of systemic malfunction has been issued.
No electoral body has declared widespread fraud.
Reported disruptions remain localized and under review.

Technical glitches and delayed openings have occurred in prior election cycles and do not automatically indicate manipulation.

2. Why the Remark Is Resonating

Nigeria’s electoral environment remains highly sensitive to rhetoric that appears ambiguous during active voting.

Some commentators have referenced the 2023 elections in Rivers State, where the performance of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi was followed by disputes during result collation. While political actors raised objections at the time, courts did not issue findings establishing systemic fraud in the context now being referenced online.

For some observers, that period shapes present-day anxieties about collation transparency.

3. Competing Interpretations of the Minister’s Statement

The viral comment has generated sharply divided reactions:

Supporters argue the phrase reflects political reassurance — suggesting party structures will lawfully monitor and defend votes.
Critics interpret the wording as troubling in light of ongoing irregularity reports.
Legal analysts note that political rhetoric, absent demonstrable action, does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing.

As of this report, the minister’s office has not issued an expanded clarification regarding the statement’s intended meaning.

4. Party Responses

The Peoples Democratic Party described the comment as “concerning” and called for strict transparency in collation.

Members of the All Progressives Congress rejected suggestions of impropriety, stating the remark has been taken out of context.

Independent observers have encouraged voters and party agents to follow established complaint procedures and document concerns through formal channels.

Watch and Verify

Official updates are expected via the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Polling unit results can be checked through the commission’s designated public portal once uploaded.
Any disputes are subject to established legal review processes.

Investigative Note & Disclaimer

This report is based on field observations, publicly circulated video footage, and attributed statements from political parties. Interpretations of Minister Wike’s comments reflect ongoing public debate and have not been established by judicial findings. Reported logistical disruptions and technical delays do not, in isolation, constitute proof of electoral fraud. Readers are encouraged to verify official results through authorized electoral platforms.