The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering attack on members of the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing the group as lacking credibility or the capacity to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during a media chat with journalists on Thursday, Wike described the coalition as a “desperate fallback” for political figures who failed to gain control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“There is no coalition,” he declared. “The opposition has decimated itself. The only party that can, if properly organised, challenge this government is the PDP.”
He accused former Senate President David Mark of trying to hijack the PDP leadership before defecting to become interim chairman of the ADC-led coalition.
“David Mark wanted to be chairman of the PDP, and we said no,” Wike said. “When they demanded that the chairmanship return to the North Central, we resisted. Now he has gone to lead a coalition. Let’s see who Nigerians will believe.”
Wike also criticised Ovation publisher Dele Momodu, calling him politically irrelevant.
“Dele Momodu was never my friend. He claimed he ran for president—he didn’t get a single vote—and now he’s in this coalition.”
Known for his blunt rhetoric, Wike accused many coalition members of chronic political opportunism, singling out former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for repeatedly switching parties to pursue power.
“Atiku was in the PDP, left for the AC, returned to the PDP, then joined the APC, came back to the PDP—and now he’s with the ADC,” Wike said. “Every time, he jumps ship. They’re just looking for where they can be in charge.”
He questioned their credibility, arguing that their criticisms of government were simply bitterness over personal losses.
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“They keep saying Nigerians are angry. Say the truth: you were defeated here. Don’t project your frustration onto the public.”
Wike challenged coalition figures to measure their records against his own achievements in public office.
“If I leave as minister today, I can confidently say, ‘This is what I accomplished.’ Let any of them show what they’ve done.”
He also suggested that former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s involvement in the coalition was driven by disappointment over being sidelined.
“If El-Rufai… if the president hadn’t dumped him, would he be part of any coalition?”
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, Wike insisted that despite internal challenges, the PDP remains the only organised opposition party capable of defeating the APC—provided it stays united.
“Politics is about interests,” he concluded. “Those people tried everything to seize the PDP’s leadership, and we stood firm and said no.”