Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at the newly formed opposition coalition, accusing its leaders of pursuing personal gain rather than any genuine effort to rescue Nigeria. Speaking during a thanksgiving service in Abuja on Sunday, Wike described the coalition as a gathering of self-seeking politicians without clear ideology or vision for national development.
“These are the same people that want to rescue Nigerians,” he said. “You are a Minister of Interior, and Nigerians have to wait weeks, months, and even years to get international passports. But your own son gets his in hours. Then you come and tell us Nigerians are angry? Nigerians are angry with you.”
Wike further criticized the coalition members for their habitual defection from one party to another, stating that such instability reveals a lack of principles and undermines their credibility.
“Today in 1999, you’re in one party. By 2006, you’ve moved to another. In 2014, you jump again. In 2019, you switch again. Now in 2025, you’re on the move again. To rescue who? It’s your stomach you want to rescue, not Nigeria.”
Without naming names, the former Rivers governor also condemned a former state executive who failed to conduct local government elections throughout their eight-year tenure, questioning the democratic integrity of such leadership.
“For eight years, he was governor and never conducted local government elections. And Nigerians were not angry? Only one man ruling over all the LGAs, and nobody asked questions. Now they’re the ones preaching democracy?”
He also dismissed the urgency with which opposition politicians are trying to reclaim power, mocking claims of forming an 18-month coalition.
“He said he formed coalition for 18 months. That means Tinubu had only been in office for six months. They couldn’t even wait. They will come back? No, they will not come back,” Wike said, to the applause of the congregation.
Affirming his support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Wike said: “If Tinubu’s government will not work, I will not support. But if it will work, I will support.”
