By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom, Wike has dismissed the viability of the emerging opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing its key players as “spent forces” who once held power but failed to deliver for Nigerians.
In a scathing political appraisal during his regular live media chat on Thursday, Wike declared that the only political platform with a realistic chance of dislodging the APC is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—but only if it urgently puts its house in order.
“What coalition?” he queried. “The only party today that can create impact, if they put their house in order, is the PDP.”
The former Rivers State governor did not mince words in criticising former leaders spearheading the new coalition movement, including David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Hadi Sirika, and Aminu Tambuwal, accusing them of hypocrisy and political amnesia.
Citing their time in office, Wike wondered why they failed to alleviate poverty or quell insecurity when they held positions of immense power.
“David Mark was Senate President for eight years—were Nigerians not angry then? There was no single project for Otukpo. Now, he wants to rescue Nigeria?
“When Amaechi was Minister for eight years and took Chinese loans, Nigerians were not angry? Sirika talks about hunger now, but what happened to Nigeria Air? They all failed Nigerians when they had the chance,” Wike fired.
He insisted that claims of rescuing Nigeria from hunger and hardship ring hollow coming from those who presided over the very failures they now criticise.
Wike added that only people with no history of holding public office can credibly speak on the country’s current challenges.
“Let someone who has never been in government tell me Nigerians are angry, and I will listen,” he said. “But not those who were part of the problem.”
He also defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that it has taken bold, unpopular steps such as removing the fuel subsidy and increasing state allocations—moves which he says are reshaping the economy despite ongoing challenges.
“Yes, there are problems, but Tinubu is confronting them. He’s building infrastructure in Abuja, which is increasing revenue to the states. So, stop using ‘Nigerians are angry’ as a political slogan.”
Regarding the Rivers State crisis, Wike stated that peace has now been restored. However, some stakeholders and even sections of the media are unhappy with the resolution, presumably because they benefitted from the prolonged tension.
Speaking on the FCT workers’ strike, Wike stood his ground, insisting protests would not cow him.
“You carry placards to embarrass me? I will not listen to you,” he said firmly.
He clarified that the salaries of primary school teachers are the responsibility of area councils, not the FCT Administration. He also defended his controversial move to withhold the 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the councils—describing it as unconstitutional but necessary “for the sake of humanity.”
“This is part of the problem with our federalism. You fix the minimum wage for everyone without considering their financial capacity. Can the councils even pay with what they get?”
Wike also revealed that the FCT Administration has a bloated wage bill, paying N13 billion monthly for over 50,000 staff, a burden he says is unsustainable in the long run.
