The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, delivered a sharp critique of the newly formed opposition coalition on Sunday, asserting that their motives are driven by personal gain rather than the welfare of Nigerians. Speaking at a thanksgiving service celebrating completed projects by the FCT Administration, Wike targeted prominent opposition figures, many of whom are former officeholders, for their political inconsistency and poor track records.
“How can Nigerians not be angry with you? In 1999, you were at this party. In 2006. In 2014, you moved to another party. In 2019, you came back to another party. Now, in 2025, you have moved to another party? To rescue whom? You want to rescue your stomach; it’s not Nigerians you want to rescue,” Wike said, highlighting the frequent party defections of opposition leaders.
He also questioned the democratic credentials of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, pointing out his failure to conduct local government elections during his eight-year tenure as governor. “Some of you have sympathy for somebody you don’t know. You say Peter Obi will be President. President where? For eight years, he was governor; he never conducted local government elections. That is what you describe as democracy. Only you were the governor and chairman of the local governments,” Wike remarked.
Wike challenged the sincerity and achievements of coalition leaders, citing his own example of serving as Senate President for eight years without being able to provide a road to his local government area, Otukpo. “It is now, you say you want to rescue Nigeria. Which Nigeria do you want to rescue?” he asked.
He accused former ministers and governors in the coalition of mismanagement and borrowing heavily from China, thereby indebting the country. “You said Nigerians are angry; they are angry with you,” Wike emphasized.
Further, Wike criticized former Attorney Generals and Interior Ministers for corruption and inefficiency that have tarnished Nigeria’s image and worsened public services, such as passport issuance delays.
In closing, Wike appealed to Christians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urging them to disregard politicians who have failed in the past. “Forget about people who have lost their chances to put Nigeria right. They won’t have the chance again,” he said, concluding that the opposition coalition had exhausted its political relevance and would not return to power.
Okay.ng reports that the opposition coalition recently adopted the African Democratic Congress as its platform for the 2027 elections, comprising figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, and David Mark.
