The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticized opposition politicians for forming a coalition barely 18 months after President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration in 2023, which was only six months into his administration. Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of the Aguma Palace–New Market–Radio Nigeria road in Gwagwalada, Wike urged the coalition members to present their scorecards and demonstrate what they accomplished while in office instead of claiming Nigerians are angry.
Wike said, “I never knew people were so pained that so many things are going on very well in the FCT. Until last night, when I was watching Politics Today, I saw one of the presidential aspirants from the coalition party, an industrialist, so pained—to the point that he was angry the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation are coming to commission projects. Yet they say Nigerians are angry.”
He further questioned the timing of the coalition’s formation: “I never asked anyone, but they said the coalition started 18 months ago. Mr. President has only been in office for two years. So you started a coalition when he was barely six months in office? When will you stop deceiving Nigerians?”
Wike also challenged prominent coalition figures such as former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Senate President David Mark, accusing them of being angry because they are out of power and insisting they will not return. “Everybody, show your scorecard. When I was Senate President, let me show my scorecard. How did I help the people of Benue State? How did I help the people of Otukpo? We’ve been here 16 days and we’re already showing our scorecard,” he said.
He criticized the coalition’s support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, highlighting his history of switching political parties since 1999. “In 2023, they said they would support one man, whose business since 1999 has been jumping from one party to another… Were you born into coalition?” Wike asked sarcastically.
Okay.ng reports that this statement comes amid growing political tensions as the 2027 general elections approach, with the opposition coalition adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their platform.
Wike’s remarks reflect the ruling party’s confidence in their achievements and their dismissal of the opposition’s claims of widespread public dissatisfaction.
