Wike Slams Opposition Coalition Leaders Over Credibility, Accuses Them of Selfishness

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike slams opposition leaders, accusing them of selfish political recycling.

He questions their record, alleging past failures and lack of real commitment to Nigerians.

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on prominent figures within the newly formed opposition coalition, accusing them of pursuing personal interests rather than any genuine mission to uplift Nigerians.

Wike made these remarks on Sunday during a thanksgiving service organized to celebrate the completion of several projects under the FCT Administration. Speaking candidly, the minister said many of the coalition’s leaders have failed in past public offices and have shown no consistent political ideology.

He criticized their repeated party-switching over the years, questioning their commitment to the Nigerian people.

“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.

The minister also took a jab at Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, challenging his democratic credentials during his time 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,” he added.

Continuing his critique, Wike questioned the performance records of several opposition leaders, asking what they achieved during their time in high-ranking political positions.

“Ask yourself a question. Just ask yourself. I was a Senate President for eight years, for example, and I cannot provide a road to my local government, Otukpo, and I will fly a helicopter to Otukpo, eight years! It is now, you say you want to rescue Nigeria. Which Nigeria do you want to rescue?” he asked.

According to the minister, many of those now criticizing the current administration had years of opportunity to make a difference but failed to act.

“Somebody was speaker for eight years, governor, eight years, minister, eight years, he didn’t know that Nigerians were angry. It’s just these two years he left office, you’re telling Nigerians that Nigerians are angry.

“Why won’t they be angry? Why won’t they 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. You said Nigerians are angry; they are angry with you,” Wike remarked.

He also pointed to mismanagement and corruption as major issues linked to former government officials now rallying under the opposition.

“Here, you were the Attorney General of the Federation for eight years. Every time we are paying for judgment debt. Nigeria is every time in the news about corruption, corruption, corruption, corruption. And these are the same people who want to rescue Nigeria,” Wike said.

In reference to the delays in obtaining international passports in the past, Wike further said, “You were the Minister for Interior, yet to get an international passport, you will spend weeks, months, and years before you get your international passport. But look at a young boy, see what he has done? Within hours, you have get your international passport.”

He urged Christians and citizens at large to support President Bola Tinubu’s government, emphasizing that those who had failed in the past should not be trusted with another chance.

“All I appeal to the church, just be patient and continue to pray for Mr. President, for the administration. Forget about people who have lost their chances to put Nigeria right. They won’t have the chance again,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Wike insisted that the opposition figures have lost political relevance and will not return to power.

In his words, “They cannot stay out of power. Unfortunately, they have stayed out; they won’t come back.”

The new opposition alliance, which recently aligned with the African Democratic Congress in preparation for the 2027 general elections, features high-profile names including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark.