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Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to address comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, about the 2027 presidential election.
VeryDarkMan expressed concern over Wike’s recent remarks suggesting that the ruling party had already secured victory in the FCT and that his political responsibility was to prevent other parties from obtaining 25 per cent of the votes in the territory.
In a viral video, the activist questioned why INEC had not publicly responded to the minister’s comments, arguing that such statements could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and create the impression that the outcome of the election had already been determined.
What Wike said about the 2027 election
Wike, who is reportedly coordinating political activities for President Bola Tinubu in the FCT, dismissed suggestions that his task was to secure 25 per cent of the votes in the territory.
Speaking about the political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the minister said his focus was on preventing opposition parties from reaching the 25 per cent threshold.
He said: “Did I come here to be coordinated for 25%? How do you look at me, coordinator of FCT? I’m looking for 25%? That must be a joke.
“My fight now is fighting against other parties not to near 25%. We have won in FCT.”
The remarks have drawn criticism from VeryDarkMan, who questioned the minister’s declaration that the FCT had already been won ahead of the election.
VeryDarkMan questions INEC’s silence
Reacting to Wike’s comments, VeryDarkMan called on INEC to clarify the situation, insisting that the commission was the constitutionally recognised electoral body responsible for announcing election results.
“INEC, what is the meaning of this nonsense the FCT minister has been doing? To be very honest, it’s irritating at this point. INEC, you are the only people that can announce an election result,” he said.
The activist argued that Wike’s remarks were particularly concerning because they were being made before the 2027 presidential election had taken place.
According to him, the minister’s declaration that the ruling party had won the FCT raised questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
“Wike is telling us now that they’ve won FCT even before the election and INEC is not saying anything. They are not countering him. It makes absolutely no sense that they have won the FCT,” VeryDarkMan said.
He also called on INEC chairman Amupitan to explain why the commission had not responded to the minister’s statements.
“The INEC chairman, Joash Ojo Amupita SAN, what’s the meaning of this nonsense?” he asked.
Activist raises concerns over 25 per cent requirement
VeryDarkMan also addressed the constitutional provision concerning the percentage of votes a presidential candidate must obtain in the FCT to be elected president.
Section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides that a presidential candidate must secure at least one-quarter of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, alongside the required spread of votes across states of the federation, to satisfy the constitutional conditions for election in the relevant circumstances.
The provision has featured prominently in political and legal debates surrounding presidential elections in Nigeria.
Against this background, VeryDarkMan questioned Wike’s statement that his responsibility was to prevent opposition candidates from reaching the 25 per cent threshold in the FCT.
The activist argued that political parties should be allowed to campaign and compete for votes without creating the impression that the outcome had already been decided.
He maintained that the electoral commission needed to protect public confidence in the voting process and address statements that could be interpreted as dismissing the importance of voters’ choices.
VDM accuses Wike of undermining voters’ confidence
The activist further accused Wike of speaking in a manner that could make Nigerians feel their votes would not count in the forthcoming election.
He stressed that he had no objection to the minister campaigning for Tinubu or the ruling party but insisted that political activities should not be accompanied by statements suggesting that victory had already been secured.
“Nobody is saying you should not campaign. This is my right. This is my country. But you cannot be telling me, oh ha, to my face that my vote will not count,” he said.
VeryDarkMan added that Nigerians had the right to participate in elections and expect their votes to be counted.
“You are not going to tell the people that their vote will not count and their vote does not matter. We come out in a large number to stand on a long queue,” he said.
He recalled his participation in the 2019 general election, when he said he mobilised people to monitor polling activities and help prevent ballot boxes from being snatched.
According to him, the experience reinforced the importance of citizens participating in the electoral process and protecting the integrity of their votes.
He argued that elections should be conducted peacefully, with votes counted and the results determined by the appropriate electoral authorities.
VDM criticises what he describes as political impunity
VeryDarkMan also criticised what he described as Wike’s growing influence in political affairs, particularly his comments about the FCT and Rivers State.
The activist questioned the minister’s remarks about controlling political outcomes in the two locations, arguing that such statements could be interpreted as showing disregard for the people’s right to determine their political future.
He acknowledged Wike’s role in the administration of the FCT but insisted that the minister should concentrate on his responsibilities and conduct political campaigns without intimidating voters or dismissing their choices.
“You dey work for FCT, we give that to you. Me, I know, I’ve seen what you’re doing in the Federal Capital Territory. Be gods for that,” he said.
He added that the minister should campaign peacefully rather than make statements that could leave voters feeling powerless.
“Do your campaign, do it in peace. But stop telling us, because what you are doing now is telling the people that your vote will not count and nothing will happen,” VeryDarkMan said.
He further described the situation as an example of what he considered political impunity, alleging that the government’s response had enabled such conduct.
Activist asks INEC to clarify its position
Concluding his criticism, VeryDarkMan returned to his central question about INEC’s responsibility to address Wike’s remarks.
He asked whether it was the minister’s responsibility to announce election results and why he appeared confident about the outcome before the election had been conducted.
“Is it Wike’s job to announce results? And how come Wike is announcing the results before an election? And INEC is not countering him and telling him that, come, excuse me, you cannot do that,” he asked.
The activist maintained that the commission should speak out to reassure Nigerians that the electoral process would be determined by the votes cast by citizens rather than declarations made by politicians before election day.
He reiterated that his criticism was not directed at political campaigning itself but at statements he believed could undermine voters’ confidence in the electoral process.
As preparations for the 2027 general election continue, the exchange has drawn attention to the role of political leaders in shaping public confidence in elections and the responsibility of electoral authorities to communicate clearly about the conduct and declaration of results.
Watch the video here…
“INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, what is the meaning of this n0nsense? You people are keeping quiet while Wike is boldly making this statement? Wike has pushed the masses to the wall too much. It’s annoying!”
— VeryDarkMan calls out INEC Chairman, Professor Joash… pic.twitter.com/WDBpFYKOnu
— CHUKS
(@ChuksEricE) October 14, 2026