Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has slammed members of the newly formed opposition coalition for prematurely criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, challenging them to present their scorecards instead of riding on public sentiment.
Wike faulted the coalition’s decision to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform for the 2027 general elections, describing it as an act of desperation and a ploy by power-hungry politicians to return to relevance.
Speaking on Friday during the inauguration of the Aguma Palace–New Market–Radio Nigeria road in Gwagwalada, the FCT Minister questioned the motive behind forming the coalition just six months into President Tinubu’s tenure.
“I never knew people were so pained that so many things are going on very well in the FCT. Until last night, when I was watching Politics Today, I saw one of the presidential aspirants from the coalition party, an industrialist, so pained—to the point that he was angry the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation are coming to commission projects. Yet they say Nigerians are angry.
“I never asked anyone, but they said the coalition started 18 months ago. Mr. President has only been in office for two years. So you started a coalition when he was barely six months in office?
“Eighteen months ago you started a coalition—six months into his tenure? When will you stop deceiving Nigerians? Someone had only been in office for six months, and you had already begun forming a coalition claiming he hadn’t performed?”
Wike also took aim at prominent figures in the coalition, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Senate President David Mark, accusing them of being bitter because they’re no longer in power.
“I have said it before—everybody, show your scorecard. When I was Senate President, let me show my scorecard. How did I help the people of Benue State? How did I help the people of Otukpo? We’ve been here 16 days and we’re already showing our scorecard.
“Operation ‘show your scorecard.’ God gave you the opportunity to be in office and make Nigerians happy, yet, according to you, you refused.
“Now that you’ve left office, you are angry. You say Nigerians are angry. No—you are angry because you’re no longer in power. You want to come back. But you won’t. You will not return to power.”
Taking a jab at the coalition’s support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Wike mocked his history of jumping between political parties since 1999.
“In 2023, they said they would support one man, whose business since 1999 has been jumping from one party to another. In 1999, he was in one party. In 2006, another party. In 2014, he moved again. In 2019, he switched again. Now in 2025, he’s forming another coalition.
“Were you born into coalition?” Wike asked sarcastically.
