The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for visiting polling units in Abuja during the ongoing FCT Area Council elections, describing his actions as “direct interference” and a possible source of voter intimidation.

In a statement on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned Wike’s visits, which followed a curfew imposed on potential voters.

“The African Democratic Congress strongly condemns the movement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, around polling units in Abuja under the guise of monitoring. Wike’s exercise, after unilaterally imposing a curfew, represents direct interference in the election,” the statement read.

The ADC stressed that Wike is not a registered voter in the FCT and, as a known partisan and cabinet minister, has no constitutional role in the electoral process. The party also highlighted reports of voter suppression and intimidation, alleging cooperation between APC agents and some security personnel, and urged its agents and voters to “remain calm but vigilant” while documenting irregularities.

Concerns were also raised over INEC’s IReV Result Viewing Portal, which remained inaccessible as results were being collated. The ADC called on the electoral commission to restore full portal functionality and provide a public explanation for the disruption.

The party described Wike’s presence during active voting as “vexatious and meddlesome,” warning that it risks intimidating voters and officials. Citizens were urged to report all irregularities to safeguard the credibility of the elections.

Videos shared by Wike’s media aide, Olayinka Lere, showed the minister visiting polling stations in Karu, Karshi, and Garki. After monitoring the exercise, Wike described the elections as peaceful, praised security personnel, and noted a high turnout in satellite towns, although participation was lower in the city center.