Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition politicians of misleading Nigerians about President Bola Tinubu’s performance. He argued that partisan interests should not prevent a fair assessment of the administration’s record. Wike made these comments during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday. He maintained that Tinubu deserved recognition for positive developments under his administration.
Wike said the emerging coalition supporting the president’s re-election was partly motivated by the need to challenge unfair criticism of the administration. According to the minister, political competition should not require opposition parties to dismiss every action of an incumbent government. He cited remarks attributed to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who acknowledged aspects of Tinubu’s performance.
The minister said such assessments demonstrated that support for the president could emerge from outside the APC and should not automatically be interpreted as a betrayal of opposition politics. He argued that the national interest required political leaders to acknowledge developments they considered beneficial to the country. Wike also defended the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together APC members and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties.
Wike described the Rainbow Coalition as an avenue for mobilising broader support for the president. He maintained that the initiative was not intended to abolish political differences but to create room for cooperation around a common electoral objective. The minister cited his role in coordinating support for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State.
Wike further argued that a political leader’s influence could be measured by the ability to persuade supporters to embrace a particular course of action. He said the coalition would continue to accommodate individuals willing to contribute to the president’s re-election, regardless of whether they belonged to the APC. The minister’s comments come amid political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wike insisted that Nigerians should assess the government on the basis of its record rather than rely solely on partisan claims. He called for greater scrutiny of politicians seeking higher office, arguing that candidates should be prepared to answer questions about their past decisions and stewardship of public resources.
The minister maintained that such scrutiny was necessary to help voters make informed choices and ensure that political competition remained centred on accountability. Wike’s assessment of Tinubu’s performance represents his political position, while opposition parties and other stakeholders have continued to offer competing assessments of the administration’s policies and outcomes.
Key points
- Wike accuses opposition politicians of misleading Nigerians about President Bola Tinubu’s performance.
- The minister defends the Rainbow Coalition as an avenue for mobilising broader support for the president.
- Wike calls for greater scrutiny of politicians seeking higher office.
