From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on the coalition that recently assumed control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), branding its leaders as a collection of “failed and expired politicians” with nothing new to offer Nigerians.
Wike, speaking in Abuja during his monthly media chat, criticised prominent figures in the coalition, questioning their track records and motives:
On former President of the Senate, David Mark, Wike remarked: “I heard David Mark say they want to rescue Nigeria. That Nigerians are not happy. But the man was Senate President for eight years, and Nigerians were happy? There was no single project in Otukpo. Not one. He was flying with a helicopter to Otukpo. Nigerians were not angry then, but they are angry now?”
Wike further noted that Mark, despite his leadership in the PDP, lost local influence as his daughter, running under the APC, won a House of Representatives seat.
Addressing former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, he said: “Amaechi was minister. He took Chinese loans and made Nigeria so indebted to China. So, Nigerians were happy then?”
He questioned the narrative that Nigerians were content during the tenure of these leaders, only to become dissatisfied once they left office.
On former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, Wike asked: “I saw Sirika. What happened to Air Nigeria? Nigerians were happy then?”
He referenced the failed Nigeria Air project as evidence of unfulfilled promises.
Wike also took aim at former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami: “I read what Malami wrote. It was so shameful. He was AGF. What did he do? What was his contribution to resolving the security challenges?”
Regarding former Speaker and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Wike queried: “Tambuwal was Speaker for four years. What did he do to make Nigerians not be angry? He was governor for eight years. What did he do? What kind of politics are we playing?”
On Bolaji Abdullahi, former Sports Minister, Wike alleged: “He moved to the ADC just because he fell out with his godfather, Bukola Saraki. That’s not ideology, that’s desperation.”
Wike concluded by asserting that the only party capable of mounting a credible challenge to President Tinubu is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), provided it resolves its internal disputes. He dismissed the ADC coalition as lacking both vision and genuine commitment to Nigeria’s progress.
“When you were in power, Nigerians were happy, but the moment you are no longer in power, Nigerians are no longer happy,” he said, questioning the sincerity of the coalition’s motives.
