Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday launched a scathing attack on opposition politicians, including former Vice President and the Presidential Candidate of ADC, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Mr. Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying Nigerians can now see through their claims of offering a better democratic alternative.
Wike, who spoke during his monthly media chat in Abuja, said recent controversies surrounding congresses and primary elections in some opposition parties have exposed what he described as hypocrisy and double standards.
The former Rivers State governor argued that parties and politicians who had consistently accused the ruling party of undermining democracy were now facing similar allegations within their own ranks.
According to him, some presidential aspirants openly rejected the outcome of their parties’ congresses and primaries, raising questions about the credibility of platforms that claim to be agents of political change.
“They said they are the saviours that will come and rescue Nigeria. What has happened now?” Wike asked.
“Some of them said they are the new face of democracy and that they are different from the old parties. But look at what is happening in their own parties. They cannot conduct congresses and primaries without protests and allegations.”
The minister said the developments have exposed attempts to deceive Nigerians with claims of moral superiority.
“Nigerians now know that they are all liars. They can’t continue deceiving the people,” he declared.
Wike maintained that political parties should be judged by their ability to manage internal democracy and resolve disputes rather than by public relations campaigns.
He noted that while some politicians have repeatedly described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as failed platforms, events within newer political groups have shown that democratic challenges are not peculiar to the older parties.
“My assessment is that the parties that have been tested over time understand the terrain better because they have passed through these experiences before,” he said.
The minister’s remarks come amid renewed political manoeuvring and coalition talks among opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.
