The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), of being rattled by the rise of the newly adopted opposition coalition, following his outburst against its leaders.
On Wednesday, the ADC was officially unveiled as the platform for the 2027 presidential election by a coalition of prominent politicians across party lines. Key members include former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, and several others from both past APC and PDP leadership.
In a Thursday media chat, Wike described the coalition leaders as “failed politicians”, sparking widespread reactions. Responding, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, said Wike’s remarks stem from fear of the coalition’s growing influence and the threat it poses to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Wike could only descend to that level because of his mortal fear of the threat that the successful unveiling of the coalition of opposition political parties constitutes to the government that he serves,” the ADC stated.
Abdullahi argued that if Wike and the APC-led administration had delivered on their promises, there would be no basis for a coalition to emerge or for him to feel threatened.
He also criticised Wike’s handling of the FCT, highlighting the ongoing strike by teachers while the minister commissions “white elephant projects running into billions of naira.”
“If we have any grievances, it is the way the government he is part of has driven the majority of Nigerians into poverty and misery,” Abdullahi said.
“We are aggrieved to see children of the poor unable to get an education because he would not pay their teachers’ salaries. We are aggrieved to watch the growing insecurity in the FCT that he superintends. We are aggrieved that Minister Wike has allowed himself to be used to destroy one of Africa’s most powerful parties the PDP.”
He added that the ADC-led coalition is not about personal grievances but about responding to the “renewed hopelessness” that Nigerians feel under the current administration.
“No amount of tirade against the leaders of the coalition could stem the tide of this popular movement. This is no longer about the political elite it is about the Nigerian people,” the statement read.
Abdullahi concluded that the coalition has become a vehicle for Nigerians to reclaim hope and demand accountability, insisting that Wike’s fear only validates the strength and direction of the opposition’s efforts.
