The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, accusing him of disrespecting President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Wike said the outcome of last Saturday’s by-elections in 12 states showed that Nigerians have rejected the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition being championed by Lawal and others.
“There’s no coalition. Nigerians have already rejected them; the by-election is enough evidence. They did not make any impact. But that is just the beginning,” Wike said.
According to him, Babachir’s grievances with President Tinubu stemmed from the choice of Vice President Kashim Shettima as running mate instead of him.
Wike, who also labelled former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as corrupt, dismissed the ADC, insisting that Nigerians have turned down the coalition.
Babachir had recently accused President Tinubu of being arrogant. Responding, Wike said he once considered Babachir a serious voice but recent events proved otherwise.
He stated: “He’s not someone that should be taken seriously. A man who came on national television, not to genuinely criticise what Mr. President has done wrong, but to accuse him simply because he had a personal relationship with him. His anger was that he thought Mr. President would have chosen him as vice-presidential candidate. Having not done that, all hell must let loose.”
Wike further berated Babachir and the ADC, stressing that President Tinubu is accessible and has recorded progress in tackling insecurity and stabilising the economy.
He said: “This President has just come for two years. Can you sincerely say that within two years, you will solve all the inherent problems of 30 years? Today, no state or local government is going to the Federal Government for bailouts, which means a problem has been solved.
“For the first time, the United States and the United Kingdom commended the Nigerian government. Terrorists they had been looking for years were arrested through the efforts of security agencies. Insecurity is coming down, and the economy is being stabilised.”
Dismissing Amaechi’s claim that he could end corruption in one month if given the ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket, Wike accused him of several corrupt practices during his time as governor of Rivers State.
He said Amaechi was indicted by a Judicial Panel of Inquiry on state properties and assets, a verdict upheld up to the Supreme Court. Wike also accused him of abandoning the Rivers State Legacy aircraft in Germany for 12 years before it was retrieved during his administration.
Concerning the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Wike stated he was not aware of the event despite being a member of the National Executive Committee.
He pledged that his group would continue to resist injustices within the PDP.
Wike said: “I am not aware of any convention. If notice of a meeting is not given to NEC members, we have the right to challenge it. Our group is meeting tomorrow, and I can assure you we will not allow injustice to prevail. Nobody has served the PDP’s interests more than I have.”
ADEOLA KUNLE
