2027: Wike Knocks Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Opposition Parties

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday mocked politicians in opposition parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kawankwaso, over their plans for 2027 elections.

Speaking during his live monthly media Chat in Abuja monitored by The Nation, said recent controversies surrounding congresses and primary elections in some opposition parties have exposed what he described as hypocrisy and double standards.

The minister argued that parties and politicians who had consistently accused the ruling party of undermining democracy were now facing similar allegations within their own ranks.

According to him, some presidential aspirants openly rejected the outcome of their parties’ congresses and primaries, raising questions about the credibility of platforms that claim to be agents of political change.

“They said they are the saviours who will come and rescue Nigeria. What has happened now?” Wike asked.

“Some of them said they are the new face of democracy and that they are different from the old parties. But look at what is happening in their own parties. They cannot conduct congresses and primaries without protests and allegations.”

Wike said the developments have exposed attempts to deceive Nigerians with claims of moral superiority.

“Nigerians now know that they are all liars. They can’t continue deceiving the people,” he declared.

Wike maintained that political parties should be judged by their ability to manage internal democracy and resolve disputes rather than by public relations campaigns.

He noted that while some politicians have repeatedly described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as failed platforms, events within newer political groups have shown that democratic challenges are not peculiar to the older parties.

“I assess that the parties that have been tested over time understand the terrain better because they have passed through these experiences before,” he said.

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed political maneuvering and coalition talks among opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.

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, signaling an end to the winner-takes-all type of politics.

He noted that the coalition is conducting a thorough groundwork and will collectively endorse a single, widely accepted candidate by August.

Wike also extended an olive branch to the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, inviting him to join the state’s “Rainbow Coalition”.

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 criticizing 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.

On security in the FCT, Wike said the construction of roads and water projects in satellite towns and rural communities has helped reduce insecurity and improve access to farmlands across the territory.

The minister said his administration deliberately shifted attention to neglected rural communities after extensive consultations with traditional rulers, youths, women and other stakeholders who identified poor road infrastructure as a major factor fueling insecurity.

According to him, communities complained that security agencies often found it difficult to pursue criminals because many rural roads were impassable.

“What we did was to go to the rural areas and interact with the stakeholders, the chiefs, the youths, the women and other leaders,” Wike said.

“What I found very interesting is that they know their terrain. They told us most of the roads were not passable at all and that even when attacks occurred, security operatives could not effectively respond because the roads were bad. So we took on the task and built the roads they themselves nominated.”

The minister said the intervention has yielded positive results, particularly in Kuje Area Council, where several road projects have been completed.

“Those roads have been built, and it really helps in terms of reducing insecurity and in terms of having access to their farmland,” he stated.

Wike stressed that, unlike previous administrations that announced policies without implementation, the current FCT Administration was focused on delivering tangible results.

“Whatever policies we make, by the grace of God, we will implement them. That is how people are going to see the impact of governance, particularly in the rural areas,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu would commission several major projects in satellite towns as part of activities marking the administration’s anniversary.

Among the projects are water schemes in Kuje, Orozo, Gwagwalada and Dobi, which he said would improve access to potable water in underserved communities.

“We can’t concentrate only on the city. We must also move to the satellite towns and provide them with critical infrastructure,” Wike said.

He revealed that the water projects were executed by CGC and are ready for commissioning, adding that two area councils have already benefited from the intervention between 2025 and 2026.

The minister further listed several road projects completed or nearing completion across the territory, including the A2-Pai road, the Bwari-Kubwa corridor, roads in Dei-Dei, and sections of the A3 highway.

According to him, the Bwari-Kubwa road will be completed this year, while work is progressing on the Abuja airport corridor and the Zuba-Airport link road aimed at reducing traffic congestion within the city centre.

Wike also announced plans to review the Abuja Master Plan, saying discussions with the original Japanese designers have been scheduled for July.

“The world has changed. The world is different. You have to conform with current realities,” he said, noting that the administration was committed to ensuring development aligns with modern urban planning needs.

The minister urged residents and the media to embrace constructive engagements with the government by drawing attention to areas requiring intervention rather than merely criticizing 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.

Wike also disclosed that the FCT Administration is constructing additional hostel accommodation for students at the Nigerian Law School as part of efforts to improve educational infrastructure in the capital city.

The minister also apologised to residents over the continued presence of roaming cattle on major roads and streets in Abuja, even as he takes full responsibility for the situation.

Wike admitted that the challenge persists despite efforts by the FCT Administration to improve the nation’s capital.

“I apologize that up till now there are cows still roaming the streets of Abuja; I take responsibility,” the minister said.

Wike said the administration was intensifying efforts to address the problem while continuing with infrastructure development across the territory.

According to him, ongoing projects are not limited to the city centre but extend to satellite towns and area councils.

“Our attention is not only on developing the city centre of Abuja. We are also working in all the Area Councils. We are providing infrastructure everywhere across the FCT,” he said.

The minister also announced that the FCT Administration would embark on a 31-day project commissioning exercise beginning June 8 as part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“To celebrate Mr President’s three years in office, the FCTA will commission projects for the next 31 days commencing June 8, 2026,” he said.

Wike noted that completed and ongoing road projects had improved connectivity and enhanced security in several communities across the FCT.