Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has dismissed the ongoing talks about a coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu as insincere, accusing the masterminds of the initiative of pursuing selfish interests rather than addressing the issues plaguing the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
During a media chat in Abuja on Friday, Wike was vocal in his criticism, particularly targeting political figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is a central figure in the coalition movement. Wike suggested that those behind the coalition were avoiding the real challenges within their party, instead focusing on personal ambitions.
“Those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?” Wike stated. “Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country, but nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power."
He emphasized the need for those in the PDP to focus on strengthening their party rather than seeking shortcuts to power. “You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is let me find a way; how I will be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s to your tent, oh Israel,” Wike remarked.
The comments come amid growing reports of a political coalition spearheaded by Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, among others, aimed at challenging President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike, however, believes that these coalition efforts are a distraction from the more pressing need for the PDP to address its internal crises. He criticized Atiku, the leader of the coalition movement, accusing him of making the same mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. Wike suggested that the former Vice President was repeating past errors, which could cost the party once again.
“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out, who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” Wike said.
On the readiness of the PDP for the 2027 elections, Wike expressed doubts, stating that the party is far from prepared for the next presidential race. Using an analogy about preparing for an exam without actually studying, Wike underscored the party’s lack of preparation.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” Wike explained. “That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”
With his sharp words, Wike further emphasized that internal party unity and focus on rebuilding were crucial for any successful political strategy going forward.
