The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at Nigeria’s opposition parties over controversies surrounding their recent primaries, saying the internal disputes have weakened their claims of being a credible democratic alternative, while strongly defending the Peoples Democratic Party’s democratic credentials.
Speaking during his monthly live media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike said recent allegations of irregularities and protests trailing congresses and primary elections in some opposition parties have exposed deep cracks within their ranks and raised fresh questions about their capacity to offer responsible leadership to Nigerians.
“They told Nigerians they were the new face of democracy and the alternative platform for change. But what we have seen is that even within their own structures, there are allegations of irregularities and protests over congresses and primaries,” Wike said.
He noted that even presidential aspirants openly questioned the credibility of the exercises. “I assess that the parties that have been tested over time understand the complexities of Nigeria’s political culture and democratic process,” he stated.
He also faulted the standard bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, for consistently running away from political challenges through serial party defections, describing him as a “food-is-ready politician”.
The former Rivers State governor dismissed suggestions that some of Nigeria’s major political parties had become irrelevant, stressing that political relevance is ultimately determined by performance, internal cohesion and public support.
Defending the multi-party coalition in Rivers State, Wike stated that it was formed purely to protect the collective interest of the state over individual ambitions, signalling an end to the winner-takes-all type of politics. He noted that the coalition is conducting thorough groundwork and will collectively endorse a single, widely accepted candidate by August.
Speaking on the internal affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party, the FCT minister affirmed that the Supreme Court has permanently laid to rest all internal contentions within the party and vowed that illegal congresses by aggrieved party members threatening the peace of the FCT would be strictly resisted.
Wike also used the occasion to urge residents and the media to embrace constructive engagements with government by drawing attention to areas requiring intervention rather than merely criticising public policies.
“Government can’t do everything. If citizens call our attention to certain things and make useful suggestions, we can act on them. Constructive criticism is important,” he added.
He urged political leaders to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting internal party democracy rather than relying on rhetoric aimed at discrediting opponents.
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