March 2, 2026
I’ll Crush Any Rival Massively in Presidential Race – Wike Boasts Nigerians Still Love Him in latest media chat.
The recent media chat held by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, took place on Monday, March 2, 2026, in his office in Abuja. This session, described as his first media engagement of the year following an end-of-year parley in December 2025, featured the minister addressing journalists on key issues surrounding the recently concluded FCT area council elections held on February 21, 2026, alongside broader political and personal reflections.
A major focus of the chat was Wike’s defense of the curfew imposed in the lead-up to the council polls. He asserted his authority as the “governor of the FCT” to declare such security measures, emphasizing that the decision received approval from President Bola Tinubu. Wike dismissed criticisms suggesting the curfew or his personal movements around polling units influenced the election results, arguing that as a non-candidate, he was entitled to monitor developments as the chief security officer. He maintained that visiting a few polling stations could not sway outcomes in a multi-ward election.
Wike also responded sharply to comments by FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe regarding the polls. He criticized her remarks, insisting that an election is a comprehensive process not a single-day event and that results are determined by voters alone. He referenced his own prior statements to clarify that presidential approval underpinned his actions, accusing critics of misrepresentation or failure to read carefully.
In a notable aside on his political standing, the former Rivers State governor expressed confidence in his national appeal. He declared that Nigerians “still love” him and that he would “defeat any opponent” and win “massively” if he contested the presidency, citing his track record in Rivers State and ongoing work in the FCT as reasons his achievements would resonate with ordinary citizens.
The media chat highlighted Wike’s characteristic direct and unapologetic style, touching on governance, security decisions, electoral integrity, and his enduring political relevance amid ongoing developments in the FCT and national politics. It underscored his continued influence in the Tinubu administration while addressing post-election controversies head-on.
