Says political rivalry should not erase president’s record
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition politicians of misleading Nigerians about President Bola Tinubu’s performance, insisting that political differences should not prevent them from acknowledging what he described as the achievements of the administration.
Wike, who spoke during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, said the president deserved recognition for his performance, irrespective of the political affiliations of those assessing his administration.
He argued that the tendency by opposition parties to portray the government as having achieved nothing was driven largely by their desire to take power.
“Whether anybody likes it or not, Mr President has done well,” the minister said.
According to him, political competition should not be reduced to an all-out battle in which opposition parties reject every policy or action of an incumbent administration, even when there are grounds to acknowledge progress.
“Politics must not be played as a do-or-die affair,” he said, urging politicians to distinguish between constructive criticism and attempts to discredit their opponents for electoral gains.
Wike cited comments attributed to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, as an example of an opposition figure acknowledging aspects of Tinubu’s performance, arguing that such recognition should not automatically be interpreted as a betrayal of opposition politics.
He maintained that national interest should take precedence over partisan considerations, adding that political leaders should be willing to acknowledge developments they consider beneficial to the country, regardless of their parties’ electoral interests.
The FCT minister also defended the Rainbow Coalition, a political platform bringing together members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties.
He described the coalition as a vehicle for mobilising broader support for the president’s re-election, insisting that its objective was not to eliminate political differences but to build cooperation around a common electoral goal.
Wike said Nigeria’s political landscape comprised diverse interests and local realities that required flexibility rather than a rigid, uniform approach to political mobilisation.
He pointed to his efforts to coordinate support for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, despite the competing political interests in both locations.
The minister further argued that political influence could be measured by a leader’s ability to persuade supporters to embrace a particular political direction.
He said the coalition would remain open to individuals willing to support Tinubu’s re-election, irrespective of their party affiliations.
Wike’s comments come amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties and influential figures position themselves for the contest.
However, his assessment of Tinubu’s performance reflects his political position, while opposition parties and other stakeholders continue to express differing views on the administration’s policies and their impact on Nigerians.
The minister urged Nigerians to assess the government based on its record rather than rely exclusively on partisan narratives.
He also called for greater scrutiny of politicians seeking public office, insisting that candidates should be prepared to answer questions about their past decisions and management of public resources.
According to him, such scrutiny is necessary to promote accountability and enable voters to make informed choices during elections.
