Abuja Defies Wike’s Poll Restrictions Movement

Early morning Saturday, February 21, 2026, Abuja residents disregarded the movement restriction imposed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, as well as directives from the police, continuing with their normal activities.

According to reports, commercial vehicle, tricycle, and motorcycle operators were busy transporting residents across different areas of the FCT.

Airport Road Traffic Defies Wike’s FCT Poll Restrictions

At Airport Road, traffic flowed freely without barricades, defying Wike’s movement restriction order during FCT polls.

In Jikwoyi and Nyanya, motorists moved unhindered as Abuja residents ignored the imposed restrictions seamlessly.

Kuje, Gwagwalada, and AMAC parts saw smooth flow, no barricades observed amid the polling activities.

On the Kubwa-Nyanya highway, however, security personnel were seen blocking the road with their trucks

Forcing motorists to use a single lane as they attempted to bypass the military presence.

Most businesses across the FCT stayed closed, shops locked tight amid Wike’s movement restriction order.

Yet some shop owners persisted, defying orders during the tense FCT polling activities in Abuja.

Laundry operators and POS providers continued along parts of Airport Road, serving motorists freely.

Kuje Electoral Materials Head to Polls by 8:10 a.m.

By 8:10 a.m., electoral materials were being transported from the Kuje central distribution centre at Science Primary School to various polling stations within the area council.

Polling units in Aleyita on Airport Road were largely and serioulsy deserted, with only a few security personnel present, while INEC officials had not yet arrived.

By 8:26 a.m., only five voters had shown up at the centre, two of whom were political party agents.

Voter Andrew James Disappointed by INEC’s 7 a.m. No-Show

One voter, Mr Andrew James, said, “I had been at the polling unit as early as 7:00 a.m. to cast my vote but was disappointed that no INEC official was on ground.”

James also noted that for convenience, “all the six polling units in the community were collapsed at LEA Primary School, Aleyita.”

At Pilot Science Primary School in Kwali, voting had not started by 8:33 a.m. sharp.

INEC officials were actively briefing party agents on key election guidelines and procedures.

Residents awaited commencement amid the FCT polls, defying Wike’s movement restriction order nearby.