The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has accused former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and other opposition figures of double standards over the issue of electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act.
Wike, who spoke during a media chat on Monday, was reacting to the opposition’s rejection of the new 2026 Electoral Act recently signed by the president, particularly the proviso that allows manual transmission of results where electronic transmission fails because of bad network.
He accused Amaechi of persuading former President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign the provision approving electronic transmission of results when they were in power, questioning why the former minister is now complaining about a provision he once opposed.
READ ALSO: [FCT Polls] ‘I Have The Right,’ Wike Defends Movement Despite Curfew
“Remember under Buhari, the issue of electronic transmission came. People like Rotimi Amaechi, they were in government, they said ‘no, don’t sign, if you sign you lose election’.
“And this is the same person now who is coming out in the public to say there should be electronic transmission, but he refused simply because he felt his boss would be affected,” Wike said.
He maintained that the new Electoral Act does not prohibit electronic transmission of results but seeks to prevent disenfranchisement by allowing manual transmission where electronic transmission fails.
“Now we are here, they did not say there should not be electronic transmission. All they said is in case, and which is likely, let us not disenfranchise people by not allowing their votes to be counted,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also addressed another contentious provision in the Electoral Act requiring political parties to conduct direct primaries.
Wike argued that indirect primaries allow wealthy individuals, including governors and ministers, to dominate party structures.
He said the direct primary system introduced by the new law would correct that imbalance.
Wike further described Nigerians as “professional complainants,” arguing that they previously criticised indirect primaries for concentrating power in the hands of party elites and moneybags.
Last week, opposition parties including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), called on the National Assembly to immediately begin a fresh amendment process to remove what they described as “all obnoxious provisions” in the Electoral Act 2026.
Several American warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning but their crew survived, Kuwait’s defence ministry said, as Iran pressed on with a third day of strikes in the Gulf.
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.
“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. He noted that their condition is stable,” the statement added.
Black smoke rose from the US embassy in Kuwait on Monday, an AFP correspondent saw, while US warplanes crashed without causing casualties, as Iran pressed on with a third day of retaliation in the Gulf.
A US base and a power station were also targeted, in what was the most dramatic escalation for the small Gulf country in decades, after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and Baghdad’s attempt to take over Kuwait in 1990.
Blasts also rang out over the Gulf cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Manama as Iran targets America’s Gulf allies after the killing of its supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes.
READ ALSO: US Announces Destruction Of Iranian Force’s HQ, First US Deaths
The embassy in Kuwait did not announce it had been hit, but issued a security alert urging people to stay away.
“There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV (drone) attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy,” the statement said, adding: “US embassy personnel are sheltering in place.”
The Iranian attacks have so far killed five people in the Gulf, according to authorities, including one person in Kuwait.
The small, oil-rich country has a large US military presence stemming from the 1990 Iraqi invasion, which was repelled by a US-led coalition aiding the Kuwaiti army.
Worried residents
In northern Kuwait, smoke billowed over a power station, three witnesses told AFP.
An energy ministry spokeswoman said a fuel container at the station had been hit by shrapnel as air defences were intercepting drones, causing a limited blaze.
Separately, Iran’s army said it targeted the Ali Al Salem air base hosting US troops in Kuwait, as well as vessels in the Indian ocean, firing 15 cruise missiles.
Also on Monday, shrapnel fell at Mina Al Ahmadi refinery, one of Kuwait’s biggest, injuring two workers, but did not disrupt production, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company said.
Sirens sounded over Kuwait City on Monday to warn of incoming strikes. An unspecified number of drones was intercepted at dawn, the interior ministry said.
Dana Abbas, a Kuwait City resident and engineer, said she was worried about the escalation and had rushed to fill her car with petrol and stock up on basic necessities.
On Sunday, the UAE said fallen debris hit the facade of Etihad Towers, which houses diplomatic embassies include Israel’s, causing minor injuries to a woman and a child.
Iran’s unprecedented bombardment has hit military bases but also civilian infrastructure such as residential buildings, hotels, airports and sea ports, rattling a region long seen as a refuge from Middle East conflict.
The National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed the quarry site operated by Dai Jin Jia Investment Limited in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (ACO Estate) following reports of incessant and unregulated blasting activities.
NESREA took the action after public outcry by residents over the company’s operations.
Reports indicated multiple environmental violations allegedly committed by the firm, contravening environmental laws and standards applicable to such establishments in Nigeria.
Earlier, agency officials reportedly faced a heated confrontation when security personnel deployed to the site initially prevented the closure of the facilities.
READ ALSO: NESREA Seals 21 Facilities In Abuja Over Environmental Violations
The company is accused of several infractions.
NESREA further alleged that the company’s blasting activities had damaged residential structures and contributed to the death of a young child, placing families’ safety at risk.
NESREA officials are seen sealing up the quarry in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (popularly known as ACO Estate), Abuja on March 2, 2026.
The agency also stated that the company lacked the necessary permit and certification for its blasting plan.
See photos from the exercise below:
The company is accused of several infractions.
NESREA officials are seen sealing up the quarry in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (popularly known as ACO Estate), Abuja on March 2, 2026.
NESREA officials are seen sealing up the quarry in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (popularly known as ACO Estate), Abuja on March 2, 2026.
The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has defended the imposition of a curfew in the build-up to the council polls in the nation’s capital.
Speaking at a media chat on Monday in his office, the minister said he has the rights as the ‘governor of the FCT’ to declare curfew.
He told journalists that contrary to claims, the action was approved by President Bola Tinubu.
The former Rivers State governor stated that his movements during the February 21 area council elections did not influence the outcome of the polls.
“I have the rights, I am the governor of 3,000 polling units. For security, I have to find out what is going on. I don’t have to be told, I am not a candidate for the election,” the minister stated.
“Somebody has said I move about. How many polling units in FCT? FCT has not less than 3,000 polling units. Assuming I went to 10 polling units to check what was going on, how will it affect 3,000 polling units?
“As a candidate, I cannot move around. I must have my agents. As the Chief Security Officer. I have a right to have a view of what is going on and how does it affect, influence the election?”
He also blamed the opposition party of not preparing well for the exercise, saying the success recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) showed the performance of President Tinubu-led Federal Government.
Wike had come under attack by Nigerians and opposition for restricting of human and vehicular movement in the FCT from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.
Among them is senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, who accused the minister of being autocratic.
Kingibe said Wike’s decision to impose a curfew across the FCT without broad consultation with critical stakeholders is “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents”.
Political economist and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prof. Pat Utomi, has criticised members of the National Assembly over their role in the amendment of the Electoral Act.
Last month, the National Assembly passed the Electoral Bill after an extended period of deliberations. President Bola Tinubu subsequently signed the bill into law. However, opposition parties have rejected the new legislation and are calling for an immediate review by the lawmakers.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Monday, Utomi accused federal lawmakers of pursuing self-interest politics aimed at retaining power.
He warned that such actions could erode the legitimacy of the legislature and plunge the country into anarchy.
“What we have has become a sham National Assembly. Because they are playing more to their interest of staying in power, they forget that they can lose legitimacy — the whole system can lose legitimacy — and that what they are doing is inviting anarchy.
“They had better save themselves and the system now. If it’s just for themselves, we can all sit back and say, ‘Okay, they will see the consequences.’ We have seen the history; we know what the consequences are — they will pay dearly for it.
“But their paying dearly could mean all of us ultimately pay dearly, because we could lose our democracy; we could lose our capacity for law, order, good governance, and progress in the country,” Utomi said.
The political economist also expressed concern over what he described as political games between the presidency and the Senate, warning that such actions could steer Nigeria in the wrong direction. He called for the return of the law to the National Assembly for reconsideration.
“I don’t think people who are playing these games between the Senate and the presidency quite understand where they are going and where this could lead Nigeria.
“This is why it is imperative, for progress in Nigeria, that they return that so-called law to the National Assembly and make a law that reflects what the people want.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission possesses the capacity to electronically transmit election results in 2027, though he cautioned that a “100 per cent perfect election” cannot be guaranteed.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Sunday during the Citizens’ Town Hall programme aired live on Channels Television and themed, ‘Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your votes and the 2027 elections.’
He urged Nigerians to temper expectations, stressing that while INEC would strive to deliver its best performance, perfection remains unrealistic.
“Let me just appeal to Nigerians, because I have noticed now that what Nigerians desire is a perfect election. And INEC will strive as much as possible to give this country the best election.
“However, we may not be able to achieve a 100 per cent perfect election for now. But as far as electronic transmission of results is concerned, I said it before the FCT Area Council that we have the capacity to transmit the results, and that we’re going to transmit the results. The only concern was real-time,” he said.
Let me just appeal to Nigerians because I have noticed now that what Nigerians desire is a perfect election, and INEC will strive as much as possible to give this country the best election; however, we may not be able to achieve a 100% perfect election for now.
-INEC Chairman,… pic.twitter.com/fQjYvy7bmv
Describing elections as the foundation of democratic governance, the INEC chairman underscored the importance of voter education and transparency.
READ ALSO: [2027] INEC To Conduct Mock Presidential Poll
“Election, for that matter, is the lifeblood of democracy. According to Abraham Lincoln, the ballot is more powerful than the bullets. Also, the ignorance of a voter is very inimical to the security of a nation.
“So, that is why we cannot underscore the role of INEC, as well as the civil society, in guaranteeing a transparent and credible election,” he stated.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC played an active role in shaping the Electoral Act 2026, explaining that the review process began about three years ago through a joint committee made up of the National Assembly, civil society organisations and the commission.
“As of the time I was taking over, the work was almost concluded. But nonetheless, we still made some important provisions and recommendations in the new acts,” he said.
Addressing the long-running debate over electronic transmission of results, which gained prominence after the 2023 general elections, Amupitan revealed that INEC advocated for mandatory transmission during legislative discussions.
“Now, even talking about the transmission of the results, you will notice that the original provision that came out of the retreat from the National Assembly was not exactly what you have today.
“But when INEC came in, we talked of transmission being mandatory. But let us be sincere and honest. The only problem that we had was how to define what we call real time,” he explained.
He cited the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections to illustrate challenges surrounding real-time transmission, particularly in remote areas.
“Let’s look at the FCT area council election that just took place. Now, there are six area councils in the FCT. The results came out on time in five area councils. But in the Kuje area council, we have 10 wards. And the results in one ward, Kabi, did not come until the following day, Sunday.
“Now, on Saturday, when we mobilised and sent people to that ward from Kuje town, Kabi ward is about three-and-a-half hours’ drive. And the terrain is very bad. So I was worried.
“When we sent our polling officials and security agencies to that ward, the moment they entered that place, we could not reach them. They were not accessible by phone. And nobody could speak to them until we had to send somebody on Saturday morning, just to be sure that they were safe, before we now got the results.
“They brought the results to Kuje town. And then it was collated along with the remaining nine wards before the result could be declared,” he recounted.
Despite the delay, Amupitan maintained that transmission itself was not the principal challenge, pointing instead to network adequacy and logistics.
A cross-section of panels at Citizens’ Townhall. Photo: Taiwo Adesina/Channels TV
“I don’t see the issue of transmission as really a problem. I don’t see it as an issue because, from my little experience, over four months now in INEC, the problem is not even the network.
“The problem I have seen is the adequacy of the network we have. For instance, you expect that in a place like FCT, you should be able to transmit your results without any encumbrance. But we had a situation where it was impossible for us to have a real-time transmission of results, especially from the Kabi ward, until the following day. And in some of the wards, some results were transmitted,” he said.
He emphasised that logistics remain critical to election credibility, warning that operational shortcomings can erode public trust.
“So, talking about logistics, I’ve said it often that your election can be as good as your logistics. So, where there is logistics failure, you know that you are beginning to fail.”
While acknowledging that the FCT poll encountered “some logistic issues,” including human errors, he said corrective measures were already underway.
“As a regulatory body, we’re determined to achieve all this. But nonetheless, we have to admit that there were some logistical issues. Some were purely human, which we are trying to address,” he added.
Looking ahead, Amupitan expressed optimism that the 2027 general elections would represent a marked improvement, citing increased voter awareness and stronger public demand for accountability.
“But I want to assure you that the election of 2027 will be the best election that Nigerians will have because Nigerians of 2023 are different from what you have in 2027. People are much more aware. And you know the correlation between elections and development.
“Nobody is happy about the classification of Nigeria as an underdeveloped country. So we want a situation where our process will be able to guarantee the confidence and the transparency that people want to see in their system.
