Wike Accuses Opposition of Misleading Nigerians

….Defends Tinubu’s Record

*** Says Political Rivalry Should Not Erase President’s Achievements

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition politicians of misleading Nigerians about President Bola Tinubu’s performance, arguing that partisan interests should not prevent a fair assessment of the administration’s record.

Wike, who spoke during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, maintained that Tinubu deserved recognition for what he described as positive developments under his administration, regardless of the political affiliations of those making the assessment.

He said the emerging coalition supporting the president’s re-election was partly motivated by the need to challenge what he characterised as unfair criticism of the administration.

According to the minister, political competition should not require opposition parties to dismiss every action of an incumbent government, particularly where there are grounds to acknowledge progress.

“Whether anybody likes it or not, Mr President has done well,” Wike said.

He argued that the tendency to portray the government as having achieved nothing was driven largely by the opposition’s desire to take power.

“Politics must not be played as a do-or-die affair,” he said, urging political actors to distinguish between legitimate criticism and statements intended primarily to discredit opponents.

Wike cited remarks attributed to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who belongs to the opposition Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as an example of an opposition figure acknowledging aspects of Tinubu’s performance.

The minister said such assessments demonstrated that support for the president could emerge from outside the APC and should not automatically be interpreted as a betrayal of opposition politics.

He argued that the national interest required political leaders to acknowledge developments they considered beneficial to the country, even when doing so might not align with their parties’ electoral calculations.

Wike also defended the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together APC members and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties, describing it as an avenue for mobilising broader support for the president.

He maintained that the initiative was not intended to abolish political differences but to create room for cooperation around a common electoral objective.

The minister said the coalition’s activities reflected a recognition that Nigeria’s political landscape contained different interests and local realities that could not always be addressed through a rigid, uniform approach.

He cited his role in coordinating support for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, despite the presence of competing political interests in both areas.

Wike further argued that a political leader’s influence could be measured by the ability to persuade supporters to embrace a particular course of action.

He said the coalition would continue to accommodate individuals willing to contribute to the president’s re-election, regardless of whether they belonged to the APC.

The minister’s comments come amid political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election, with parties and political figures positioning themselves for the contest.

However, Wike’s assessment of Tinubu’s performance represents his political position, while opposition parties and other stakeholders have continued to offer competing assessments of the administration’s policies and outcomes.

He insisted that Nigerians should assess the government on the basis of its record rather than rely solely on partisan claims.

Wike also called for greater scrutiny of politicians seeking higher office, arguing that candidates should be prepared to answer questions about their past decisions and stewardship of public resources.

He maintained that such scrutiny was necessary to help voters make informed choices and ensure that political competition remained centred on accountability.