The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has slammed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his comment that suggests that the forthcoming local council polls in the nation’s capital would be turned into a war zone.
 
The opposition party also said that Nigerians must be allowed to decide who will be their leaders and that the party would resist all attempts to subvert voters’ will by the FCT minister.
  
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned that such rhetoric could deepen political tensions and undermine democratic stability.
  
The party insisted that it is the Nigerian people, not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or any minister, that will determine the outcome of the February 21, 2026, elections.
 
However, the ADC also accused Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to intimidate voters, adding that such tactics reflect their fear and growing unpopularity.
  
It, therefore, vowed to resist any effort or plan to subvert the will of Nigerians through lawful and constitutional means.
 
The statement stated: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken note of the deeply troubling statement credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as reported by several news outlets. 
 
“We consider the minister’s declaration of ‘war’ against so-called anti-Tinubu candidates not only irresponsible, but dangerous in the current fragile atmosphere of our nation.”

At a time when Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, insecurity, and deep political distrust, the last thing the country needs is inflammatory rhetoric from those entrusted with public office.”
 
The ADC said that Wike should not add to the country’s crisis by unnecessarily heating up the polity with reckless, unmeasured language.
 
“Nigeria is not a battlefield for political vendettas; it is a constitutional democracy. The sovereign will rests with the Nigerian people, not with any President, not with any minister, and certainly not with those who mistake access to state power for ownership of the nation.
  
“If Wike, the APC and its leaders are confident in their performance, they should submit themselves humbly to the verdict of the electorate. 
 
“The ADC will not sit idly by and watch political actors truncate our democracy. Any attempt, overt or covert, to subvert Nigerians’ right to freely choose their leaders will be firmly resisted through every means at our disposal. We are prepared to mobilise democratic institutions, civil society partners, and the Nigerian people themselves in defence of the sanctity of the ballot.
 
“No declaration of ‘war’, no abuse of office, and no political theatrics can override the sovereign voice of the electorate. Our democracy was hard-earned. It will not be surrendered to intimidation by actors like Wike and his paymaster,” the statement added.