Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as lacking the structure, unity, and credibility required to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said the coalition, which comprises key opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, is made up of politicians with personal ambitions rather than a shared vision for the country.
“There is no coalition. The opposition has decimated itself. The only party that can, if they put themselves well, challenge this government is the PDP,” he stated.
The ADC coalition was formally unveiled on Wednesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, with former Senate President, David Mark, named as interim National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as interim National Secretary.
Reacting to the development, Wike accused David Mark of attempting to seize the leadership of the PDP before defecting to the new political alliance.
“David Mark wanted to be chairman of the party and we said no. When they were saying the chairman should come back to North Central, we said no. We stood our ground. Now he has gone to take the chairman of the coalition. Let me see who Nigerians will listen to,” he said.
The Minister also criticised Dele Momodu, describing him as politically insignificant.
“Dele Momodu was never my friend. He is somebody who said he ran for presidency—he didn’t get one vote—and that one is in the coalition,” Wike remarked.
Turning his attention to Atiku Abubakar, Wike alleged that the former Vice President has consistently moved across political parties purely for self-interest.
“Atiku was in PDP, he left and joined AC, from AC, he came back to PDP, left again and joined the APC, then came back to PDP—and now he has left again and joined the ADC. Dem born you, born every time leave, leave? They just want they be in charge,” he said.
Wike also questioned the motives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting his involvement in the coalition is due to rejection by President Tinubu.
“If El-Rufai… if the president did not dump him, would there have been a coalition on his part?” the Minister asked.
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