Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on opposition political parties, accusing them of misleading Nigerians and failing to uphold the democratic values they publicly advocate.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike described some opposition parties as lacking credibility, citing controversies that trailed their recent primary elections as evidence of internal weaknesses.
The former Rivers State governor specifically criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that parties presenting themselves as agents of political change have struggled to conduct transparent internal processes.
According to Wike, the disputes that emerged during their primaries have exposed what he described as contradictions between their public messaging and actual practices.
He said political groups portraying themselves as the solution to Nigeria’s democratic challenges have failed to demonstrate the standards they claim to represent.
“They presented themselves as the alternative and the saviours of democracy, but recent events have shown otherwise,” Wike said.
The FCT minister pointed to protests and complaints that reportedly accompanied the opposition parties’ internal elections, noting that such developments raise concerns about their ability to manage larger democratic responsibilities.
He argued that if parties cannot conduct peaceful and credible primaries, their criticism of established political parties loses moral weight.
Wike further stated that Nigerians are becoming increasingly aware of what he described as inconsistencies in the opposition’s promises and political narratives.
According to him, parties that brand themselves as a fresh alternative cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes they accuse others of making.
The minister also dismissed claims that older political parties have become irrelevant, insisting that established parties possess valuable experience in navigating Nigeria’s political landscape.
While acknowledging that no political party is perfect, Wike maintained that parties with a long history in the country’s democratic process have a better understanding of the realities and complexities of governance.
His comments come amid heightened political activities and realignments ahead of future electoral contests, with several opposition groups positioning themselves as alternatives to the ruling party.