A prominent activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has waded into the controversy surrounding the forthcoming senatorial election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), warning that only the residents of the territory have the right to decide who becomes their next senator in 2027.
Adeyanju’s comment comes amid a face-off between FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Kingibe had accused Wike of prioritizing projects that have little impact on FCT residents, while Wike threatened to ensure Kingibe’s defeat in the next election.
In his response, Adeyanju cautioned Wike against underestimating the power of FCT residents. He pointed out that even incumbent presidents have been defeated in the territory, and that it is not Rivers State where election results are often decided by gunpoint.
The activist lawyer expressed surprise at Wike’s arrogance, saying that Nigerian politicians often exhibit an overconfidence that stems from their control over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other mechanisms used to manipulate the electoral process.
Adeyanju’s statement suggests that FCT residents will not be swayed by external influence and will make their own decisions at the polls. His comments are likely to fuel the already heated debate over the senatorial election in the territory.
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