FCT Elections: Ajibola Basiru Slams ADC, Says Politicians Are Now Just Comedians

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its response to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections. According to Ireporter Online, Basiru described the ADC’s lamentations as a reaction to the poor performance of its candidates in the polls.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Tuesday, Basiru argued that while the APC continues to focus on mobilization, organization, and strategic planning, other parties engage in superficial activities that do not constitute serious politics. He added, “Most of the time, people turn themselves into comedians because they are in the political space. We just had an election two weeks ago, and they are still claiming the elections were not free and fair because their candidates lost woefully.”

Basiru further noted that prior to the elections, the ADC had claimed the FCT polls would serve as a benchmark for the 2027 elections. However, he pointed out that the party failed to secure any of the six chairmanship or 62 councilorship seats, while the APC won two concurrent bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states.

Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, attributed the APC’s dominance in the recent elections to strategic governance in satellite towns, following instructions from President Bola Tinubu. During his first monthly media briefing of 2026 in Abuja, Wike stated that focusing on areas outside the city centre allowed residents to experience tangible impacts of government policies, motivating voter turnout.

Wike explained, “Let’s tell ourselves the simple truth. Who would have beaten Asiwaju’s government in this FCT election if all we did was focus on the city? Historically, ruling parties have struggled to win in the city because the people there talk a lot but rarely come out to vote.” He highlighted the party’s success in areas such as Karu, Kabusa, and Wasa, where residents turned out in significant numbers, securing the majority of seats for the APC.

The FCT Area Council elections, held on February 21, 2026, saw the APC emerge victorious in five of the six chairmanship positions, a result officials attribute to deliberate engagement with satellite towns and a strategy emphasizing grassroots governance.