Wike Accuses Opposition of Misleading Nigerians, Defends Tinubu’s Record

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition politicians of giving Nigerians a misleading picture of President Bola Tinubu’s performance, arguing that political differences should not prevent an objective assessment of the administration.

Wike made the remarks during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, insisting that Tinubu deserved credit for what he described as positive developments since taking office, irrespective of party affiliations.

The minister said the coalition supporting the president’s re-election was partly driven by the need to counter what he considered unfair criticism of the administration. He argued that opposition parties should not dismiss every government action simply because they intend to take power.

Wike maintained that political competition should allow room for acknowledging progress where it exists, rather than treating every disagreement as a battle in which one side must completely discredit the other.

He cited comments attributed to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, whom he identified as a member of the opposition Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as an example of an opposition figure recognising aspects of Tinubu’s performance.

According to Wike, such acknowledgements show that support for the president can come from outside the All Progressives Congress (APC) without necessarily amounting to a rejection of opposition politics.

He argued that national interests should take precedence over party calculations when political leaders assess developments they believe could benefit the country.

Wike also defended the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together APC members and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties. He described the initiative as a platform for expanding support for the president ahead of the 2027 general election.

The minister said the coalition was not intended to eliminate political differences but to encourage cooperation among individuals who share the objective of securing Tinubu’s re-election.

He added that Nigeria’s political landscape contains varying interests and local circumstances that require flexibility rather than a uniform approach across all states.

Wike pointed to his role in coordinating support for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, where different political interests compete for influence. He maintained that effective political leadership involves persuading people with different affiliations to work towards a common objective.

He said the coalition would remain open to anyone willing to support the president’s re-election, whether or not they belonged to the APC.

The minister’s remarks come as political parties and prominent figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with competing arguments emerging over Tinubu’s policies and performance.

While Wike maintains that the president’s record deserves recognition, opposition parties and other stakeholders have continued to express differing views on the administration’s decisions and their effects on Nigerians.

He urged citizens to assess the government based on its record rather than relying exclusively on claims made by politicians. Wike also called for closer scrutiny of candidates seeking public office, saying they should be questioned about their past decisions and management of public resources.

According to him, accountability should remain central to political competition so voters can make informed decisions at the polls.