Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the leaders of the Opposition Coalition, accusing them of pursuing personal gain under the guise of rescuing Nigeria.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service on Sunday to mark the completion of projects by the FCT Administration to mark President Bola Tinubu’s two years in office, Wike said the coalition leaders, many of whom are former top government officials were driven by selfish interests rather than genuine concern for Nigerians.
“You want to rescue your stomach; it’s not Nigerians you want to rescue,” Wike declared. “In 1999, you were in this party. In 2006, you moved to another party. In 2014, another one. In 2019, you returned. Now, in 2025, you’ve moved again. To rescue who?”
The FCT Minister singled out prominent political figures, including the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, questioning their democratic credentials and past performance.
“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 the chairman of the local governments,” he said.
Wike continued his tirade, challenging the track records of past federal leaders now aligned with the opposition movement.
“Ask yourself a question. I was Senate President for eight years, for example, and I cannot provide a road to my local government, Otukpo, and I will fly a helicopter there, eight years! It is now tha you say you want to rescue Nigeria. Which Nigeria do you want to rescue?”
He further criticised a former Speaker of the House of Representatives who also served as a governor and minister for eight years, saying such individuals only discovered Nigerians were suffering after they left office.
“Somebody was Speaker for eight years, Governor eight years, Minister eight years, and he didn’t know Nigerians were hungry? It’s just these two years out of office and now you’re telling Nigerians that Nigerians are hungry?” he queried.
On the issue of public debt and poor infrastructure, Wike said, “Why won’t Nigerians be angry? When in eight years as Minister of Transportation, you borrowed so much money from China, making us highly indebted. You have borrowed the future of Nigerians.”
He also took a swipe at a former Attorneys-General and also Interior Minister under the immediate-past government.
“You were the Attorney General of the Federation for eight years. Every time we are paying for judgement debt. Nigeria is always in the news about corruption. And these are the same people who want to rescue Nigeria,” Wike said.
“You were the Minister for Interior, yet to get an international passport, you will spend weeks, months, and years. But look at a young boy, see what he has done within hours, you get your international passport.”
Urging Christians to continue praying for the current administration led by President Tinubu, Wike warned against placing hope in those who have already had and squandered their chance to lead.
“All I appeal to the Church: just be patient and continue to pray for Mr. President and the administration. Forget about people who have lost their chances to put Nigeria right. They won’t have the chance again,” he said. “They cannot stay out of power. Unfortunately, they have stayed out; they won’t come back.”
LEADERSHIP reports that the opposition coalition recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coalition includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); and ex-Senate President David Mark, among many others.
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