Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on opposition politicians who recently took control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing them as a “gang of failed and expired politicians” with no credible solutions for Nigeria’s challenges.
At his monthly press briefing on Thursday, Wike criticised key coalition figures, questioning their records and describing their new alliance as opportunistic.
The opposition coalition leaders adopted and unveiled ADC on Wednesday as their platform to wrest power from President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The revived party is led by former Senate President Senator David Mark, with former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the national secretary.
The coalition members consist of leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party. While APC has remained stable, PDP and Labour Party have been embroiled in crises since the 2023 presidential election.
Some ADC leaders, like David Mark, former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, and former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, have resigned from their membership in their former parties – the PDP and APC, respectively.
The FCT minister aimed particularly at former Senate President David Mark, who now chairs the ADC, challenging his recent declaration that the coalition seeks to rescue Nigeria.
“I heard David Mark say they want to rescue Nigeria and that Nigerians are unhappy. But this same man was Senate President for eight years. Were Nigerians happy then?
“There was no single project in Otukpo, his hometown. Not one. He was flying around in a helicopter while his people had nothing. Nigerians weren’t angry then, but suddenly they are angry now?”
He further ridiculed Mark’s political influence, noting, “As PDP leader in his state, he couldn’t even deliver his constituency. His daughter won a House of Representatives seat under the APC while he lost. What does that tell you?”
Wike also targeted former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of worsening Nigeria’s debt burden.
“Amaechi was a minister for eight years. He took massive Chinese loans and left Nigeria heavily indebted. Were Nigerians happy then?” he asked.
On ex-Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika’s failed national carrier project, Wike said, “I saw Sirika in this coalition. What happened to Air Nigeria? Billions spent, yet nothing to show. Nigerians were happy with that?”
The FCT minister saved some of his harshest words for former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, calling his recent statements shameful.
“Malami was AGF for eight years. What did he do to improve security? Now he’s talking as if he wasn’t part of the problem,” Wike said.
Wike didn’t spare former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, questioning his records as a legislator and executive.
“Tambuwal was Speaker for four years, then governor for eight. What did he achieve? What did he do to make Nigerians less angry?” he demanded.
The FCT minister also dismissed former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi’s move to the ADC as politically motivated.
“Abdullahi only joined ADC because he fell out with his godfather, Bukola Saraki. That’s not leadership; that’s desperation,” Wike said.
Despite his fierce criticism of the ADC coalition, Wike acknowledged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the only opposition party capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu, if it resolves its internal divisions.
“The only party today that can still credibly challenge Tinubu is the PDP—but only if we put our house in order,” he stated.
Wike dismissed the ADC takeover as a gathering of “recycled politicians who failed Nigerians when they had power.”
“They were happy when they were in government, but now that they’re out, suddenly Nigeria needs ‘rescuing.’ Nigerians are not fools,” he declared.
The ADC coalition, which includes several prominent defectors from the PDP and APC, has positioned itself as a significant opposition force ahead of the next election cycle.
