The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised opposition parties over their claims of irregularities in the recent Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, saying Nigerians clearly made their choice at the polls.
In a post shared on his official X account on Sunday, Keyamo described the opposition’s allegations as baseless and exaggerated. He accused them of making excuses after losing the election.
“This set of opposition fellows are a bunch of lazy and shameless characters,” the minister wrote. “The futile excuses they give for losing elections have become their opium to numb their pain, disappointment and shame for their rejection by the electorate after all their theatrics and grandstanding. Nigerians are NOT FOOLS.”
His comments came days after the Area Council elections held across the FCT, where voters elected chairmen and councillors in the six councils that make up the nation’s capital.
The election was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The results showed a strong performance by the ruling All Progressives Congress, which won five of the six chairmanship seats. The Peoples Democratic Party secured one seat.
Following the announcement of the results, some opposition figures alleged that there were irregularities in parts of the process, including claims of corrected result sheets in some polling units. However, Keyamo dismissed the claims and insisted that the election reflected the will of the people.
Keyamo argued that the opposition had pointed to fewer than 10 polling units out of a total of 2,822 units in the FCT as evidence that the entire election was flawed.
According to him, even if there were issues in 50 units, that would still leave more than 2,770 polling units where the process was not questioned.
“Even if it is 50 units that had corrected (or mutilated) sheets, that leaves you with over 2,770 units,” he said.
He added that in some of the cases mentioned by the opposition, the corrected figures reportedly favoured opposition parties, not the ruling party.
The minister accused some opposition leaders of trying to create fear among Nigerians by claiming that democracy in the country was under threat.
“They go further to use this flawed logic to create mass hysteria that ‘our democracy is in danger’ and attempt to stir social unrest amongst unsuspecting Nigerians,” he wrote.
Keyamo also said some opposition figures believe that elections can only be described as free and fair when the ruling party loses.
“The only election that can be free and fair, in their own warped minds, is when the ruling party loses,” he added. “These guys are prepared only for propaganda, not elections. It is as simple as that.”
His remarks have added to the growing debate over the conduct of the FCT polls, which recorded low voter turnout despite an improvement compared to previous council elections.
The FCT Area Council elections are important because they decide who leads the six councils in Abuja. These councils are responsible for local services such as primary schools, health centres, markets and local roads.
Although they are local elections, they are often seen as a test of political strength ahead of bigger national contests. With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, political parties are already positioning themselves.
In recent years, elections in Nigeria have often been followed by claims and counter-claims between ruling and opposition parties. Allegations of irregularities, vote-buying and result manipulation are common, especially in closely contested areas.
The FCT election was no different. While the APC celebrated its victories in five councils, opposition parties questioned aspects of the process and called for closer scrutiny.
INEC, for its part, said the election was conducted peacefully in most polling units. The commission also reported that voter turnout stood at about 15 per cent of registered voters, an improvement compared to the 2022 Area Council polls, where turnout was below 10 per cent.
Keyamo’s strong defence of the election reflects the ruling party’s position that the results were credible and that Nigerians made their choice freely.
On the other hand, opposition parties argue that raising concerns about the process is part of democratic practice and helps to improve future elections.
As the debate continues, attention may shift to possible legal actions by aggrieved candidates. Election petitions are a common feature of Nigeria’s political system, and courts often play a key role in settling disputes.