A fresh debate over the boundaries of political power and electoral conduct has emerged following the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, with concerns mounting over the visible presence of senior public officials at polling units.
A former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lai Olurode, has questioned the propriety of such appearances, warning that they risk blurring institutional lines and undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
The controversy was sparked by the movement of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, across several polling units during Saturday’s council polls in Abuja. While the minister described the exercise as peaceful—though marked by low turnout in some locations—his visits drew criticism from opposition figures and civic groups.
Mr Olurode, a retired sociology professor at the University of Lagos, argued that the Electoral Act does not assign monitoring or supervisory roles to ministers or other political office holders. According to him, election management is strictly within the purview of INEC and accredited observers.
He maintained that public officials, like other citizens, are expected to vote and depart polling centres without engaging in activities that could be perceived as oversight or supervision.
“Elections are designed to provide a level playing field. When incumbents move around polling areas, it raises concerns about undue influence,” he said, cautioning that such actions—even if unintended—could create an atmosphere of intimidation.
Drawing from his time at INEC, Mr Olurode recounted an instance when he confronted a sitting governor, Kayode Fayemi, for touring polling areas during an election in Ekiti State. He said the governor acknowledged the concern and withdrew from the scene.
Beyond Mr Olurode’s remarks, other political actors have also voiced disapproval. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong reportedly questioned the minister’s role at polling units, arguing that election supervision falls outside the constitutional mandate of executive office holders.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) similarly accused the minister of interfering in the electoral process. In a statement, the party described his visits to active voting centres as inappropriate and potentially intimidating to voters and officials.
The party also linked the situation to broader concerns about movement restrictions imposed across the FCT ahead of the polls—measures it said may have contributed to low voter turnout.
Meanwhile, the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, criticised the pre-election curfew and movement controls, describing them as excessive and inconsistent with democratic norms. She argued that sweeping restrictions introduced without broad consultation risk eroding public trust in governance.
As reactions continue, the episode has reignited discussions about the limits of incumbency power and the need to safeguard the neutrality and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral processes.