The political atmosphere heated up on Thursday as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) exchanged sharp criticisms over the growing opposition coalition aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Wike Dismisses ADC Coalition, Declares PDP Only Viable Challenger
During his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike downplayed the significance of the newly formed coalition led by the ADC, describing it as politically irrelevant. He maintained that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the structure to challenge President Tinubu, provided it can resolve its internal crises.
Wike accused coalition leaders—including former Senate President David Mark, ex-Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and others—of hypocrisy, stating they failed to improve Nigerians’ lives while in power. He questioned their credibility to speak about rescuing the nation, citing their past roles in government.
“David Mark was Senate President for eight years. What did he bring to Otukpo? Nothing. Amaechi was a minister for eight years; were Nigerians not angry then? Now they are suddenly angry under Tinubu?” Wike asked.
He further argued that only fresh political voices—those who had never held office—could credibly speak on rescuing Nigeria. He praised Tinubu for making “bold but necessary” reforms, adding that current hardships are the result of difficult but inevitable decisions.
Coalition Hits Back: Wike Is ‘Jittery’ Over Growing Threat
In response, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused Wike of panicking over the rise of the coalition movement. He dismissed Wike’s remarks as an attempt to distract from his failures as FCT Minister, including the ongoing strike by Abuja primary school teachers and alleged extravagant spending on white elephant projects.
“Minister Wike has descended into personal attacks because the coalition threatens the government he represents. If they had kept their promises to Nigerians, there would be no need for a coalition,” Abdullahi said.
He also criticized Wike for contributing to the PDP’s decline, accusing him of aligning with the APC to weaken the opposition.
APC, Presidency Label ADC Coalition ‘Selfish and Doomed’
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency also weighed in. APC spokesperson Felix Morka described the coalition as a “gathering of selfish power-seekers,” accusing its leaders of seeking personal gain under the guise of rescuing Nigeria.
“This is not a coalition of patriots, but of politicians desperate to reclaim power. Unlike the APC’s 2013 merger, which was built on national interest, the ADC movement is driven by ambition and grievance,” Morka stated.
Presidential Adviser on Media, Sunday Dare, echoed this sentiment in a series of posts on X, calling the coalition “a weak imitation of the APC’s birth.” He described the ADC’s leaders as “serial election losers” lacking broad regional or national support.
“This is no 2013. The current coalition lacks unity, strategy, or popular legitimacy,” Dare asserted.
Bwala Labels ADC a ‘Dead on Arrival’ Party
Presidential aide Daniel Bwala also joined the criticism, dismissing the ADC-led coalition as a “structure of criminality” and a failed gathering of “internally displaced politicians.”
“This is an association of wild goose chasers. It is dead on arrival,” Bwala posted on X.
Amaechi Urges Citizens to Take Back Power
In contrast, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi took a more provocative stance, urging Nigerians to reclaim their country from the political elite. Speaking at the presentation of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey in Abuja, he called out public apathy, urging citizens to rise against elite domination.
“You have 200 million Nigerians versus less than 100,000 elites stealing your future. You’re not helpless because of them. You made yourselves helpless,” Amaechi declared.
He cited international examples like Bangladesh and Peru, where citizens ousted unpopular governments through mass protests. He also lamented the decline of once-powerful protest movements like the NLC and ASUU.
PDP Caught in the Middle, Declares Neutrality—for Now
Amid growing pressure, the PDP clarified its position on the coalition. The party’s National Working Committee, through spokesperson Debo Ologunagba, said it has not joined any coalition and remains focused on restructuring and preparing for the 2027 elections.
“The PDP has not directed its members to join any coalition. We are focused on building unity and consolidating our structures,” Ologunagba stated.
This neutral position comes despite high-profile PDP figures such as Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, and Sule Lamido openly supporting the ADC-led movement.
Public Discontent Rising
Adding context to the political drama, the Africa Polling Institute released a damning survey revealing deep public distrust in national institutions. According to the report:
- 83% of Nigerians distrust the Tinubu administration
- 80% distrust the National Assembly
- 79% have little or no trust in the judiciary
Executive Director of the institute, Professor Bell Ihua, said the data reflects national frustration and warned that the government must act swiftly to regain public confidence.
Conclusion
As the battle lines for 2027 begin to take shape, the ADC-led coalition has ignited fierce debates across Nigeria’s political landscape. While the Presidency and ruling APC dismiss the coalition as opportunistic and disorganised, its proponents insist it represents a popular uprising against a failed status quo. With internal divisions in the PDP and deepening public dissatisfaction, Nigeria’s road to 2027 promises to be turbulent, unpredictable, and highly consequential.
