Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to Nigeria’s newly formed opposition coalition, accusing them of exploiting national discontent for personal political gains.
Speaking at his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Wike dismissed the coalition’s adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a platform to contest 2027 elections, saying it was not for genuine national interest.
“Because you have issues with someone, you say Nigerians are angry and then you go ahead and form a coalition. Please let’s take the issues of Nigeria seriously. I challenge all of them to show their scorecards. When they were at the helm of affairs, what did they do to better the country?” he said.
The minister demanded accountability from coalition members, insisting their past performance in government should disqualify them from posing as national saviours.
Addressing the ongoing teachers’ strike in the FCT, Wike clarified the limitations of his office regarding the N18 billion arrears owed to the educators.
“These monies aren’t to be paid by the FCT Administration but by the Area Councils,” he explained, detailing his intervention measures including withholding 10 per cent of internally generated revenue from the Area Councils.
“We have taken several actions, but there’s only so much we can do when the debt reaches N18billion,” Wike stated, acknowledging the complexity of resolving the labour dispute within the FCT’s governance structure.
Wike’s statements come as the ADC coalition positions itself as an alternative platform ahead of future elections. However, the minister’s challenge for them to show their scorecards underscoredmhis skepticism about their credibility.
“Nigeria needs serious leaders, not politicians who only remember the people when they’re out of power,” Wike stated.
