FCT polls expose ‘corn and groundnut’ campaign style – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the just-concluded Area Council elections in Abuja have unmasked what he described as “hypocritical politics” driven by symbolism rather than substance.

Wike made the remarks on Sunday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while reacting to the outcome of the FCT polls.

According to him, the results have drawn a clear line between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and what he termed the “real opposition.” He argued that residents of the FCT rejected politicians who resort to buying roasted corn and groundnuts from roadside vendors as a campaign strategy to sway public opinion.

“This election has further exposed the hypocrisy of people who go about buying corn and groundnuts from roadside sellers for the purpose of a campaign just to deceive Nigerians,” Wike said.

DAILY POST reports that the APC secured five of the six Area Councils in the FCT, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched one.

The minister maintained that FCT residents had demonstrated political awareness and refused to be misled by what he described as “emergency democrats” who constantly criticise the government without acknowledging its achievements.

He added that the outcome of the election reflects the confidence of Abuja residents in the leadership of the APC-led administration.