Wike Accuses Opposition Of Playing Politics With Tinubu’s Performance

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition politicians of allowing partisan interests to shape their assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting that the government’s performance should be judged on its record.

Wike made the remarks during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, where he defended the emerging political coalition backing Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general election.

The minister argued that political rivalry should not prevent opposition figures from acknowledging policies or actions they consider beneficial to the country, dismissing claims that the administration had achieved nothing.

“Whether anybody likes it or not, Mr President has done well,” Wike said.

He maintained that the opposition’s desire to take over power should not lead to the rejection of every action taken by the incumbent government, warning that political competition should not be treated as a battle in which all means are justified.

“Politics must not be played as a do-or-die affair,” he said.

Wike cited remarks attributed to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, whom he identified as an opposition figure, arguing that acknowledgement of aspects of Tinubu’s performance should not automatically be interpreted as abandoning opposition politics.

According to the minister, political leaders should be able to recognise developments they consider positive, even when such positions differ from the interests or electoral calculations of their parties.

He also defended the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together APC members and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties, saying the initiative was intended to widen support for the president ahead of the next election.

Wike said the coalition did not require participants to abandon their political affiliations but provided a platform for cooperation around Tinubu’s re-election. He cited his coordination of the president’s support base in the FCT and Rivers State as part of the effort.

The former Rivers State governor added that political mobilisation depended on the ability of leaders to persuade people with different interests to work towards a shared objective.

With political alignments taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections, Wike urged Nigerians to look beyond competing partisan claims and examine the administration’s record. He also called for greater scrutiny of politicians seeking public office, saying voters should question candidates about their past decisions and management of public resources.

His defence of Tinubu’s performance reflects his position as a political ally of the president’s re-election effort, while opposition parties and other stakeholders continue to advance differing assessments of the administration’s policies and outcomes.