FCT Polls: Wike Did His Homework;Not That He Rigged the Election that Day; It Was Done Before- Pogu

The President of the Middle Belt Forum, Pogu Bitrus Pogu, has said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, did his political groundwork ahead of the recent FCT area council elections, insisting that any influence exerted occurred before election day.

Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI Television on Friday, February 27, 2026, Pogu dismissed suggestions that the polls were rigged on election day, arguing instead that pre-election political maneuvering shaped the eventual outcome.

According to him, Wike’s bold public statements ahead of the polls were not necessarily an indication of manipulation during voting but a reflection of prior strategic moves.

“If it was predetermined, Wike would not have allowed the PDP to win Gwagwalada,” Pogu said, referring to one of the area councils won by the opposition. He described the minister as someone who “grandstands” and makes bold declarations but maintained that groundwork had already been done before the ballots were cast.

“He did his homework. He influenced people to even step down for his APC candidate before the election. That was why he was able to boldly make those claims, not that he rigged the election on the day itself; those things were done before the election,” Pogu stated.

The comments come amid debates over remarks attributed to the FCT minister suggesting that only those aligned with the President would win the council elections and that he knew what to do to secure desired outcomes.

While critics interpreted the comments as evidence of possible electoral interference, Pogu argued that political negotiations, alliances, and candidate substitutions prior to election day are part of Nigeria’s political landscape and may have contributed significantly to the results.

He further pointed to the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gwagwalada as evidence that the process was not entirely predetermined, noting that voters ultimately exercised their choice where local sentiments were strong.

Pogu’s remarks add another dimension to the ongoing conversation about the credibility of the FCT polls and the broader implications for Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.