…Accuses coalition leaders of selfish politics, failed leadership legacies
…Says Peter Obi’s time has passed
…Labour Party coalition with ADC not anti-party – Obi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on leaders of the opposition coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, accusing them of prioritising personal gain over national interest.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at St. James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, on Sunday, Wike criticised key figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-backed alliance, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
The ADC-led coalition, recently adopted as a platform for uniting opposition voices ahead of 2027, includes politicians across party lines such as Atiku, Mark, Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Amaechi, ex-APC chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-Sports Minister Solomon Dalung.
Wike condemned the group’s frequent party defections as a symptom of self-interest rather than national rescue.
“In 1999, you were in this party. In 2006, another party. In 2014, you moved again. In 2019, back to another party. Now, in 2025, you’ve moved yet again. Who are you rescuing? It’s your stomach you want to rescue, not Nigerians,” he stated.
He cautioned Nigerians against falling for what he described as propaganda from politicians who failed to deliver during their time in office.
…Obi’s time is up — Wike
Taking direct aim at Peter Obi, Wike dismissed the former Labour Party presidential candidate’s relevance, insisting his political window had closed.
“They say Peter Obi will be President. President where? Most of you are just following someone you don’t know, out of emotion,” he said.
He accused Obi of undermining democracy during his tenure as Anambra governor by failing to conduct local government elections.
“For eight years, Obi was governor and never conducted local government elections. Now he’s saying democracy isn’t working? It worked when he was in charge? Only Obi was governor and chairman of all local governments at the same time. That time is gone. He won’t get another chance,” Wike declared.
Wike had previously stated in April 2025 that he did not support Obi in 2023 because “he had no chance of winning.”
…No Mercy for Aregbesola, Mark, or Amaechi
He also criticised former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, accusing him of mismanaging passport issuance during his time in office.
“You were the Minister of Interior and Nigerians had to wait days, weeks, even months to get passports. Today, a young man under this administration ensures passports are issued in hours,” Wike noted, praising Aregbesola’s successor, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Wike questioned Senator David Mark’s legacy, saying, “You were Senate President for eight years, yet there was no road to your local government in Otukpo. You had to use helicopters. Now you say you want to rescue Nigeria? Rescue which Nigeria?”
He also lambasted Rotimi Amaechi for allegedly plunging Nigeria into debt through indiscriminate borrowing.
“Eight years as Speaker, eight years as Governor, eight years as Minister, now you say Nigerians are angry. Of course they are! You mortgaged their future with Chinese loans,” he said.
Mocking Amaechi’s wife, reportedly referred to as an industrialist, Wike added, “You say your wife is an industrialist, so you want to become President. Who shut down the industries? May God forgive them; they don’t know what they are doing.”
Wike challenged his critics to visit Abuja and judge his performance as FCT Minister for themselves.
…As Obi reaffirms 2027 presidential ambition
Meanwhile, Peter Obi has confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, denying any talks about serving as a running mate to Atiku or any other politician.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi said, “Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C. I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”
He addressed the adoption of the ADC as a coalition platform, dismissing it as a betrayal of the Labour Party, and reiterated his criticism of the Tinubu administration, accusing it of poor economic management and failed governance.
