Raphael Kanu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his recent verbal attacks on the newly formed opposition coalition, accusing him of being “jittery” over the movement’s growing momentum and threat to unseat the Bola Tinubu-led government in 2027.
In a statement released Thursday by Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the coalition movement, the group said Wike’s comments—made during his televised monthly media chat—were driven by fear, not facts.
“The Minister’s remarks reflect a deep-seated panic. His public outburst against the coalition’s leaders only proves the threat we pose to the establishment he serves,” the statement read.
Abdullahi dismissed Wike’s criticisms as baseless, asserting that the Minister’s failure to deliver on basic responsibilities within the FCT, including unpaid salaries for primary school teachers and neglected workers, had stripped him of credibility.
“If Wike had paid teachers who’ve been on strike for months and stopped wasting billions on white elephant projects, he wouldn’t need to be afraid of any coalition,” Abdullahi said.
Responding to Wike’s claim that coalition leaders were motivated by personal grievances, the ADC clarified that their motivation stems from a national crisis, not political bitterness.
“We are aggrieved, yes—but on behalf of millions of Nigerians plunged into poverty and hopelessness. We’re speaking for children who can’t attend school because their teachers haven’t been paid, and for citizens who live in fear daily in a capital city riddled with insecurity,” the statement said.
The coalition also accused Wike of playing a pivotal role in the decline of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), once Africa’s strongest opposition platform, and allowing himself to be “used” by the ruling party.
Reiterating the coalition’s goal to restore hope to Nigerians, the ADC stated that the political realignment isn’t about personalities or vendettas.
“This is a people’s movement. Nigerians were promised Renewed Hope but are living through renewed hopelessness. No amount of name-calling or political showmanship can stop the momentum,” Abdullahi asserted.
The statement marks the latest in a string of exchanges between the opposition coalition and the ruling APC, with tensions expected to rise as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
