Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has predicted a bleak electoral future for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that the party “will not fly” in next year’s elections.
Speaking during his first live media chat of the year at his Abuja residence, Wike took aim at opposition figures, accusing them of resorting to “dubious populist tactics” to court sympathy from poor Nigerians rather than offering genuine governance.
Wike singled out former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, accusing them of playing to the gallery.
He mocked Amaechi for publicly buying and eating roasted corn during campaigns, describing the gesture as political theatre.
What Amaechi did was to buy corn, a corn he has never chewed as a minister or as a governor. You like to deceive the poor,Wike said.
The minister also criticised Obi for celebrating his birthday at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, questioning the sincerity of the act.
When he was governor, did he go to IDP camps on his birthday? Nigerians deserve genuine leadership, not staged compassion, he added.
Turning his fire on his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike said it has failed to learn from its mistakes in the 2023 presidential election.
He openly declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, stressing that his loyalty lies with candidates who align with the President’s vision regardless of party affiliation.
As it is today, my party seems not to have learned. I will support the President for a second term,Wike stated.
He dismissed suggestions of anti-party activity, insisting that his position has always been clear.
Wike also predicted that Labour Party senator Ireti Kingibe, who recently defected to the ADC, would not return to the Senate in 2027.
The minister accused her of failing to attract tangible projects to the FCT and insisted she does not represent the true sentiment of Abuja residents.
Their rift intensified after Kingibe criticised Wike’s decision to restrict movement in the FCT between 8pm Friday and 6am Saturday, describing it as autocratic. Wike, however, defended the measure as necessary for security and within his powers as Chief Security Officer.
Commenting on the recent FCT Area Council elections, Wike said the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which won five of six councils, reflected public confidence in the Tinubu-led administration.
He blamed the opposition for poor preparation and weak mobilisation, likening elections to academic examinations.
You don’t wait for exams before you prepare. You must attend classes and read your books, he said.
Wike rejected claims of voter disenfranchisement, arguing that it is the responsibility of political parties — not the government or the electoral body — to mobilise voters.
The minister hinted at plans for a “thank-you visit” to FCT area councils that supported the APC, promising continued infrastructure development in return.
If you vote for us, leave it for us to do our part. Our part is to provide infrastructure as promised, he said.
As political alignments shift ahead of 2027, Wike’s remarks underscore his firm stance: support for President Tinubu’s second term and open confrontation with opposition forces he accuses of selling symbolism over substance.