The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken aim at opposition politicians who formed a coalition just 18 months after President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023—when the new administration was still in its early months.
Speaking on Friday at the opening of the Aguma Palace–New Market–Radio Nigeria road project in Gwagwalada, Wike questioned the motives behind the early formation of the coalition, now operating under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in preparation for the 2027 elections.
He called on members of the coalition to present a record of what they achieved while in public office instead of claiming that Nigerians are disappointed with the current government.
“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,” Wike said.
He further questioned the timing of the coalition’s creation, pointing out that it started when Tinubu had only spent a short time in office.
“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 added.
He noted that many key figures in the coalition, including former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Senate President David Mark, were only reacting out of frustration after losing power. He challenged them to prove their own contributions while they were in government.
“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.”
Wike also spoke about the coalition’s support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, pointing to his long history of changing political parties.
“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.
