Wike Slams ADC Coalition As ‘Failed Politicians’ In Fiery Attack.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), unleashed a blistering critique of the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a media parley in Abuja on Thursday, 3 July 2025. Targeting prominent figures such as former Senate President David Mark and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Wike branded the coalition a “gang of failed and expired politicians” desperate to regain relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC, recently adopted as the platform for a coalition of opposition leaders including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, aims to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). David Mark, appointed interim national chairman, has framed the coalition as a movement to “rescue Nigeria” from what he describes as a slide towards civilian dictatorship. However, Wike dismissed these claims, accusing the coalition’s leaders of hypocrisy and poor performance during their time in office.
Focusing on Mark, Wike questioned the former Senate President’s record, alleging that his eight-year tenure brought no tangible development to his hometown of Otukpo in Benue State. “I heard David Mark say Nigerians are angry and want to rescue the country,” Wike remarked. “But he was Senate President for eight years. Was there any project in Otukpo? Not one. He was flying there with helicopters. Were Nigerians not angry then?” He further highlighted Mark’s declining political influence, noting that his daughter won a House of Representatives seat under the APC, not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where Mark once held sway.
Wike also took aim at Amaechi, accusing him of plunging Nigeria into significant debt through Chinese loans during his tenure as Transportation Minister. “Amaechi was minister for eight years. He made Nigeria so indebted to China. Were Nigerians happy then?” Wike challenged, questioning the coalition’s narrative that public discontent has only emerged under the current administration. He extended his criticism to other coalition members, including former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, asking, “What happened to Air Nigeria? Were Nigerians happy then?”
The minister’s remarks come amid a dramatic realignment in Nigeria’s political landscape, with the ADC emerging as a platform for defectors from the PDP, APC, and Labour Party. The coalition, unveiled on 2 July at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, saw the resignation of the ADC’s previous leadership, including National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, to make way for Mark and interim secretary Rauf Aregbesola. Wike suggested that the coalition’s formation stems from personal grievances, citing Bolaji Abdullahi’s move to the ADC after a rift with his mentor, Bukola Saraki.
Wike’s outspoken comments have sparked mixed reactions. Supporters view his critique as a bold defence of the APC’s record, while critics argue it distracts from pressing issues like inflation and insecurity. As the 2027 elections loom, the ADC coalition’s ability to unify its diverse members and counter such attacks will be crucial to its ambition of unseating the ruling party. For now, Wike’s sharp words have set the stage for a heated political battle, with Nigeria’s future hanging in the balance.
