Wike Blasts ADC-Led Coalition Labels Members Desperate Power Seekers and Defectors

Abuja — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fierce attack on members of the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing the group as lacking credibility, cohesion, and the capacity to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking during a media chat with journalists on Thursday, Wike described the coalition as a “desperate alliance of failed political actors” who, according to him, are merely regrouping after being edged out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“There is no coalition,” Wike said bluntly. “The opposition has decimated themselves. The only party that can, if they put themselves well, challenge this government is the PDP.”

Wike specifically took aim at former Senate President David Mark, now interim chairman of the ADC coalition, accusing him of previously attempting to hijack PDP’s leadership.

“David Mark wanted to be chairman of the PDP, and we resisted it,” Wike said. “Now he has gone to chair the coalition. Let’s see who Nigerians will listen to.”

Also in his line of fire was Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and a former presidential aspirant, whom Wike described as “politically irrelevant.”

“Dele Momodu ran for president and didn’t get one vote. That one is in the coalition too,” Wike mocked.

The minister, known for his hard-hitting political commentary, accused many in the coalition — including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar — of serial defections driven by personal ambition.

“Atiku left PDP for AC, came back, joined APC, returned to PDP, and now he’s in ADC again. They just want to control wherever they go,” Wike alleged.

He also questioned the sincerity of coalition members who frequently invoke national discontent as a rallying point.

“They keep saying Nigerians are angry. Just say you’ve been defeated and stop projecting your failure onto Nigerians.”

Wike challenged any member of the coalition to match his record in public office, particularly in his current role as FCT minister.

“If I leave office today, I can list my achievements. Let any of them do the same.”

He also hinted that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s involvement in the coalition may be due to political frustration.

“If the President hadn’t dumped El-Rufai, would he be in a coalition today?”

With the 2027 general elections looming, Wike stressed that despite internal wranglings, the PDP remains the only viable opposition party — if it maintains its unity and structure.

“Politics is about interest. They did everything to hijack the PDP chairmanship and we resisted. If the PDP stays united, it alone can challenge the APC,” he concluded.