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, concerning the 2027 presidential election.
VeryDarkMan expressed concern over Wike’s recent remarks suggesting that the ruling party had already secured victory in the FCT ahead of the election. The minister also said his political focus was on preventing opposition parties from securing 25 per cent of the votes in the territory.
In a viral video, the activist questioned why INEC had not publicly responded to the comments, arguing that such statements could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and create the impression that the election outcome had already been determined.
Wike, who is reportedly coordinating political activities for President Bola Tinubu in the FCT, dismissed suggestions that his responsibility was simply to secure 25 per cent of the votes for the ruling party.
Speaking about the political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the minister said his priority was to stop opposition parties from approaching the 25 per cent threshold.
“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,” Wike said.
Reacting to the remarks, VeryDarkMan questioned the minister’s declaration that the FCT had already been won before the election had taken place.
“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 comments could give voters the impression that their votes would not influence the outcome of the election.
“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,” he said.
He directly addressed the INEC chairman, asking him to clarify the commission’s position on the minister’s remarks.
“The INEC chairman, Joash Ojo Amupita SAN, what’s the meaning of this nonsense?” VeryDarkMan asked.
He maintained that politicians had the right to campaign for their preferred candidates but should not make statements that could discourage citizens from participating in the electoral process.
“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 further stressed that Nigerians should be encouraged to vote without fearing that the outcome had already been decided.
“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 added.
While acknowledging Wike’s activities in the FCT, the activist urged the minister to focus on campaigning peacefully rather than making declarations that could be interpreted as a foregone conclusion about the election.
“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,” he said.
He also questioned whether the minister had the authority to declare an election outcome before the official voting process had taken place.
“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,” VeryDarkMan asked.
His comments have added to the debate surrounding Wike’s remarks and the importance of maintaining public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the 2027 general election.