The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday clashed over the 2027 opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike dismissed the coalition’s chances, arguing that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could realistically challenge Tinubu, insisting that Nigerians are not considering the ADC.
The PDP’s National Working Committee, through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, clarified on Thursday that the party had not yet taken an official position on the coalition.
Meanwhile, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, accused a faction of the party led by former Senate President David Mark of trying to hand the ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Kachikwu vowed to challenge the new leaders in court to reclaim the party’s mandate.
Responding to Wike’s criticism, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the FCT minister was rattled because the coalition poses a real threat to Tinubu’s administration. Abdullahi argued that the ADC-led coalition belongs to Nigerians and was formed to rescue the country from worsening hardship.
On Wednesday, a group of prominent politicians—including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi—unveiled the ADC as their new coalition platform to defeat Tinubu in 2027. Though many of them have not officially joined the party, they pledged support for the interim leadership now headed by David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, following the resignation of Ralph Nwosu and his team.
Wike Mocks Coalition Leaders
Wike lashed out at the opposition figures, accusing them of exploiting Nigerians. He questioned their sincerity, saying many coalition leaders failed to deliver when they held power.
He singled out David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, and other ex-office holders, asking what they achieved during their time in government. “They want to rescue Nigeria now, but what did they do when they were in power? If people who’ve never held office say Nigerians are angry, I can agree. But not these people,” Wike said.
Defending Tinubu, Wike argued that the President is making difficult but necessary decisions to stabilise the economy. He stressed that only the PDP, if united, could pose a serious challenge in 2027, saying the opposition has weakened itself by splintering into coalitions.
Coalition Fires Back
The ADC’s Bolaji Abdullahi described Wike’s outburst as proof of the coalition’s threat to the current government. He accused Wike of failing to deliver on promises, including paying salaries of striking primary school teachers in the FCT, while wasting funds on “white elephant” projects. Abdullahi said the coalition movement represents Nigerians who feel let down by Tinubu’s government.
He said, “If Wike and the administration he serves had kept their promises, there wouldn’t be a need for this coalition. The coalition belongs to Nigerians who were promised renewed hope but got renewed hopelessness instead.”
Abdullahi also criticised Wike for allegedly helping to weaken the PDP. He said, “It is too late to stop this popular movement. No amount of attacks will stem the tide.”
APC and Presidency Respond
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the new coalition as a gathering of “self-centered politicians driven by vendetta.” APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the ADC unveiling as “a coalition of hoaxers and power-hungry opportunists.” He said the coalition leaders had failed Nigerians in the past and have no fresh ideas.
Presidential aide Sunday Dare echoed this view, insisting that the ADC coalition bears no resemblance to the 2013 merger that formed the APC. He said the APC was built on real grievances and national interest, while the ADC is driven by “personal ambition” and lacks any unifying figure like Buhari in 2013.
He argued, “This new coalition is opportunistic. The presidency already sits with the region due for it, and that’s where it will stay till 2031.”
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, added that the ADC was “dead on arrival,” mocking its promoters as “internally displaced politicians” forming what Peter Obi once described as a “structure of criminality.”
Bwala, himself a former PDP member who defected to the APC, said the opposition realignment is nothing but a wild goose chase that cannot threaten Tinubu’s hold on power.
ADEOLA KUNLE
