Category Nigeria News

The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has taken a swipe at the administrative style of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of autocracy.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the lawmaker said Wike is not willing to work with anybody.

Kingibe decried that despite writing to the minister, she hasn’t gotten a positive response on how to deliver the dividends of democracy to FCT residents.

“If the Minister were my younger brother, he wouldn’t behave this way. I am only about governance.”

”You can see the letters I have written to the minister, all of them telling how I am willing to work with him; the minister is not willing to work with anybody,” Kingibe said.

“The minister is not willing to work with the FCDA people; he is not willing to work with the Mandate Secretary. The minister thinks governance is about what he alone thinks and what he alone wants.”

READ ALSO: Senator Kingibe Asks Wike To Review, Suspend FCT Movement Restriction

Curfew

Wike, in a special broadcast on national television and radio stations on Thursday, declared a curfew on the FCT, calling on residents of the nation’s capital to come out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice.

He also declared Friday a work-free day and announced a restriction of movement from 8 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday.

But the senator faulted the minister for declaring a 22-hour curfew ahead of the bye-election slated to hold in the nation’s capital on February 21.

She described the curfew imposition as unnecessary, saying FCT is not at risk security-wise to warrant that action.

“If the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is fully prepared, the security forces are all in place, what is the need for this draconian measure? There is no need.

“From 8 pm to 6 pm tomorrow, just because we have a local government election? I have lived here for a very long time. This is the first time that any minister would ever find it necessary. It makes us wonder why such a measure is necessary, since there have been no security issues.

“Even when there was a protest, they didn’t put in a 22-hour curfew, not to talk of just a local government election in a capital where embassies all are, high commissions, ECOWAS Secretariat. A lot of people are forbidden to move around tomorrow,” Kingibe said.

Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has granted an interim injunction restraining activist Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters from publishing further content concerning the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, his family, or his office, pending the hearing of a defamation suit.

In the order, the court specifically restrained the defendants from publishing content alleged to be defamatory and derogatory of Victor Egbetokun, son of the IGP, including a recent claim that he received N100 million from Anambra State security votes.

According to the order, the ruling followed an ex parte motion for an interim injunction filed by the claimant through counsel, Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN. The motion was dated February 10 and filed on February 11, 2026.

The application was brought pursuant to Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Order 30 Rule 3 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The court granted the interim injunction after hearing the applicant’s counsel, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The case has been adjourned to April 14, 2026, for further hearing.

READ ALSO: Court Rejects Sowore’s Documents In Trial Over Claims Against Tinubu

The enrolled court order reads: “This enrolled court order is consequent upon hearing Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, counsel for the claimant/applicant, who moved the motion ex parte for interim injunction under reference M/2035/2026, dated the 10th day of February, 2026 and filed on the 11th day of February 2026.

“The motion is brought pursuant to Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Order 30 Rule 3 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, praying this Honourable Court for the orders as contained on the motion paper.”

The ruling further states: “The defendants/respondents, its servants or agents, privies or any person or authority deriving power and instruction from them are hereby restrained from making any publications concerning the claimant, his office and/or family members or on such other matters relating to the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to review and suspend the movement restriction imposed ahead of the FCT Local Government elections.

On Thursday, Wike declared Friday a work-free day and announced a restriction of movement from 8 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday in preparation for the FCT Local Council elections scheduled for Saturday.

Reacting in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, Senator Kingibe strongly condemned what she described as the unilateral imposition of a curfew, characterising the minister’s action as “authoritarian, ill-considered, and unacceptable in a democratic society.”

READ ALSO: [FCT LG Polls] Wike Declares Work-Free Friday, Imposes Movement Restriction

The Senator stated unequivocally that the decision to impose a curfew across the Federal Capital Territory, without broad consultation with critical stakeholders, is a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.

“The people of the FCT are not subjects under a dictatorship. They are citizens of a democratic republic. Any sweeping restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency,” she said.

While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, Kingibe emphasised that security concerns cannot serve as a blanket justification for “executive overreach”.

She stressed that the curfew, as announced, risks inflicting severe economic hardship on small businesses, workers, and families who rely on daily income for survival, as well as international visitors.

“ECOWAS Parliamentarians will be arriving for a planned 10-day extraordinary meeting starting on Sunday, Set Weddings and receptions, Planned Functions, Marked Events and Embassies.

“Curfews are only warranted when there are SERIOUS security breaches, and there are NONE. This is only just Area Council (LG) Elections.

“Decisions of this magnitude cannot be taken without cause, consultation with stakeholders, and due process.

“The Minister should please remember that he is not the first to administer this territory and this is not the first election taking place here,” she said.

Senator Kingibe, therefore, called on the Minister to immediately review and suspend the curfew.

The police in Rivers State have announced movement restrictions ahead of the bye-elections scheduled for Ahoada East and Khana State House of Assembly Constituencies on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

In a press release issued ahead of the polls, the Police said the restriction is part of measures put in place to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election process across the affected local government areas.

According to the statement, movement within and around Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas will be restricted from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the day of the election.

The Police also disclosed that there will be a massive deployment of security personnel across the two LGAs to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Officers are expected to be stationed at strategic locations, polling units, and major roads to deter violence, electoral malpractice, and other criminal activities before, during, and after the exercise.

Residents have been urged to comply strictly with the movement restriction and avoid unnecessary gatherings, particularly around polling units.

The Police further advised members of the public to refrain from carrying weapons or suspicious items and to promptly report any activity capable of disrupting the electoral process.

READ ALSO: Police Impose 12-Hour Movement Restriction For FCT Council Elections

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, called on political parties, candidates, and their supporters to shun violence and adhere strictly to the provisions of the Electoral Act and other laws guiding elections.

He warned that anyone found violating the restriction order or engaging in acts capable of disturbing the peace will be arrested and prosecuted.

The Police Commissioner also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against being used as instruments of violence or disorder during the election.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has called on residents of Rivers State to fully participate in the bye-election scheduled for Saturday, February 21.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct elections across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside bye-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers State, as well as in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.

Fubara, in a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, particularly urged eligible voters in Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas to actively take part in the poll.

He described the election as a family affair and called on the people to come out en masse to support the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) contesting the two vacant seats in the State House of Assembly.

The governor also charged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the exercise.

“Everybody should be law-abiding and avoid doing anything that will disturb the peace during the exercise. It is actually a family election and there is no need for rancour and acrimony,” he said.

Similarly, President Bola Tinubu has called for peaceful and orderly conduct during Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano State and Rivers State.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Calls For Orderly Conduct Ahead Of FCT, Kano, Rivers Polls

In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President urged security agencies to exercise restraint and called on the electoral body to strengthen public confidence in the process.

“President Tinubu urged all eligible voters to come out and vote without fear, emphasising that the democratic process thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance and mutual respect,” the statement read.

He appealed to voters, security personnel and officials of INEC to carry out their responsibilities calmly and professionally.

Tinubu encouraged eligible voters to turn out without fear, stressing that democracy thrives in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and mutual respect.

He also urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid violence, inflammatory rhetoric and any actions capable of undermining the credibility of the polls.

The President warned security agencies against high-handedness, intimidation or any conduct that could disenfranchise voters or erode public trust, emphasising that their role is to safeguard lives and property while protecting the integrity of the ballot.

He further called on INEC to take necessary steps to boost voter confidence by ensuring timely accreditation, smooth voting procedures, accurate collation and prompt transmission of results in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 318 cases of Lassa fever and 70 deaths across the country since the beginning of 2026.

NCDC Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in a press briefing on Friday.

He said a total of 1,469 suspected cases have been recorded, giving a case fatality rate of 22 per cent.

According to Idris, five states – Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Bauchi, and Ebonyi – account for 91 per cent of all confirmed cases. Ten local government areas make up 68 per cent of infections.

To contain the outbreak, Idris stated that the NCDC has deployed the National Rapid Response Team to eight reporting states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Benue, Jigawa, and Plateau).

He noted that the agency is also working with state governments to strengthen surveillance, case management, and community engagement.

READ ALSO: NCDC Confirms 165 Lassa Fever Cases, 31 Deaths In Five Weeks

“Protecting healthcare workers is a key priority,” Dr Idris said, noting that 15 healthcare workers have been infected so far this year. Low risk perception and poor infection control in some facilities are contributing factors.

The NCDC highlighted challenges, including inadequate contact tracing, delayed care-seeking, and limited state funding for prevention activities, which can increase the risk of infections and fatalities.

Idris emphasised the role of state governments in active case search, community risk communication, and strict enforcement of infection prevention and control practices.

He also warned against misinformation and rumours, such as the recent false outbreak report at the Kwara State NYSC camp, which can hinder containment efforts.

Idris urged Nigerians to practice environmental hygiene, store food safely, control rodents, and seek prompt medical attention to help reduce the spread of Lassa fever.