Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has thrown a bold challenge at Nigeria’s opposition coalitions, daring them to present credible new leaders instead of recycling the same old politicians who, according to him, ran the country aground.
“If there are people who have not been in power in this country before, who are coming with fresh ideas, I can listen to them. But not people who sat at the head of affairs for years and left Nigeria in this crisis,” Wike declared during an interaction with journalists in Abuja.
The Minister, known for his blunt remarks, lashed out at opposition figures he described as “spent forces” who now exploit public frustrations for cheap political gain.
“They say Nigerians are angry. But when they were Senate President for eight years, Nigerians were happy? When they were Ministers borrowing Chinese loans left and right, Nigerians were happy? Now they’re out of power, suddenly they claim they want to ‘rescue’ Nigeria. Rescue it from what? The mess they left behind?” he asked pointedly.
Wike argued that without the tough economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of unsustainable subsidies, Nigeria would have collapsed into deeper fiscal crisis.
“Do you know, if not for the emergency measures we have today, you would have seen a situation where workers won’t be paid civil servants in states stranded because there is no money. That is the real crisis,” he said.
Addressing recent political wrangling and allegations that he used security agencies to disrupt opposition meetings, Wike dismissed the claims as baseless.
“I was formally written by the National Chairman and Secretary of my party to provide security for their legitimate caucus meeting. The governors were all there. Which faction did I stop? Which meeting did I disrupt?” he queried.
According to him, the real enemies of peace are those who benefit financially from stoking crises and spreading misinformation.
“There are people who make money abusing Wike on television. Now that money is drying up so they’re not happy. But the key players have accepted peace. The people who matter are united. So the noise-makers don’t count,” he said.
The Minister urged Nigerians to reject those he called “professional crisis merchants,” warning that they have nothing new to offer the country.
“These same people will attend each other’s weddings, fly in private jets, then come on TV to tell you ‘Nigerians are angry.’ They want to divide us again with North-South, religion and ethnicity, when what we need is truth and sacrifice,” he added.
Defending the Abuja administration’s infrastructure drive and Tinubu’s economic reforms, Wike maintained that history would judge those who only criticise but fail to build.
“Today, some say Nigerians are angry because we are delivering projects in Abuja. Should Abuja not have roads, hospitals, or schools? History will ask everyone: what did you contribute when you had power?” he said.
He urged the media and citizens to insist on accountability from every political actor, not just the current government.
“We must ask: when you had power, what did you do? It’s not enough to jump from one coalition to another because you want to grab power back. Bring fresh faces. Bring new ideas. Then we can talk,” Wike said.
