Wike to Coalition: You can’t rescue Nigeria after ruining it

By Ukpono Ukpong

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at opposition politicians seeking a return to power, declaring that those who ruined Nigeria cannot now claim they want to rescue it.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service in Abuja to mark the successful commissioning of projects in the FCT by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wike warned that the time of the “desperate power grabbers” had passed and they would not return.

“The time has passed. They will not have the opportunity again. You said that you formed a coalition for 18 months, which means the president was in office for six months when you started forming a coalition. They can not stay out of power. Unfortunately, they have stayed out, and they will not come back,” Wike declared.

Wike accused former leaders of hypocrisy, saying they failed to deliver when they held power but are now criticizing the current administration.

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“People had the opportunity to be in government for several years; people had the opportunity to bring infrastructure to their States; they didn’t do it. At that time, Nigerians were not angry. It is now that they are not in office that Nigerians are angry”, he observed. He cited examples such as the bombing of trains during previous administrations and the accumulation of national debt without commensurate development.he said.

Debunking claims that the opposition aims to save the nation. Wike said “They want to rescue their stomach, not Nigeria.” He explained further that Nigerians’ anger is directed not at the current administration, but at the opposition for their past failures to deliver democratic dividends.

The Minister dared the opposition to present their scorecards, questioning their inconsistent political allegiances: “How can Nigerians not be angry with you? In 1999, you were in another party, in 2006, you moved to another party, in 2014, you moved to another party. In 2019, you moved back to another party. Now, in 2025, you are moving to another party to rescue who? You want to rescue your stomach. It’s not Nigeria you want to rescue. So let us tell ourselves the simple truth”.

Challenging critics who questioned rising hardship, Wike retorted, “Two years of a country that was ran down and we expect miracle worker? It is not prayer where you say, somebody is sick in the name of God, I heal you. It doesn’t work that way.”

“Ask yourself a question. Just ask yourself, I was a senate president for eight years. For example, I was unable to provide road to my local government, Otukpo and I would fly helicopter to go to Otukpo. Eight years. Now, he said he is going to rescue Nigeria. Which Nigeria are you rescuing? Eight years as senate president.” He berated former Senate President, David Mark.

The minister also referenced Peter Obi, criticizing his eight-year tenure as governor without conducting local government elections.

“So let’s tell ourselves the simple truth. Some of you, you have sympathy for somebody you don’t know. I’ll say it. That is why you nearly made us make a mistake. Say Peter Obi is going to become president, president where?

“Some of you, you don’t know somebody, you just act with emotion. For 8 years, he was governor. He never conducted local government election. Never. That time Nigerians were not angry, they were happy that you refused to conduct local government elections in 8 good years, you were governor. That one, you define it as democracy. Government of all the local government, and none of you ask any question?

“Now they go back to say, “democracy is not working”. But it worked under your own when you stayed alone to be chairman of local governments and governor, only one man.

“People had the opportunity to be in government for several years; people had the opportunity to bring infrastructure to their States; they didn’t do it. At that time, Nigerians were not angry. It is now that they are not in office that Nigerians are angry”, he observed.

He cited examples such as the bombing of trains during previous administrations and the accumulation of national debt without commensurate development.

While urging the public to be discerning and not be swayed by emotional or tribal sentiments in the political arena, he appealed to the church to pray for President Bola Tinubu’s administration as very soon Nigerians would reap the dividends of democracy.

“I assure you that in the next one year, you will see what will happen in Abuja. All these things are because the president is committed. If he is not committed, I won’t get the money. If he is not committed, we will still be talking about single treasury accounts. It will be difficult. Very difficult.

“All I plead to the church is just be patient and continue to pray for Mr. President, for the administration. Forget about people who have lost their chances to put Nigeria right. They won’t have the chance again.” He said

The minister praised President Tinubu for what he described as transformational changes in the FCT, including the appointment of permanent secretaries from within the FCT civil service for the first time.

“People easily forget. The FCT has never had permanent secretaries before. Never. But as the President came in, he said you can’t block people’s growth. Today, all the civil servants in the FCT can say that yes, I’m likely to go to the level of permanent secretary,” he said.

Wike also highlighted financial reforms that have boosted infrastructure development in the capital.

“Before now, it was difficult for FCT to access funds. Mr. President in his wisdom made sure that we were pulled out of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, that has been stagnating the development of the FCT. Today, we can see the projects because we are no longer operating under the TSA,” he explained.

Speaking further, issued a strong warning to the church and religious leaders to be vigilant and avoid political manipulation as 2027 approaches.

“Let me use this opportunity to tell us, particularly the church, they nearly made the worst mistake in 2023. We have to be very very careful this time around. It would have been a decision that would have cost some of us our future,” Wike said.

Taking a swipe at the mismanagement of government assets, the minister cited the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

“They were paying the government 50 million Naira every year, and these are the people who want to rescue Nigeria?! But now, in three weeks after renovation and continued activities there, we have generated over 700 million Naira,” he revealed.

Referring to the improved allocation to states and other governance reforms under Tinubu, Wike defended the government’s tough decisions.

“I was the governor. I never had more than 14 billion Naira a month. But today, some states are getting over 50 billion every month. The country was dead. It would take challenges, it would take hard decisions to be made,” he added.

Moreso, Wike assured continued support for faith-based communities but emphasized neutrality.

“I’m not a member of this church, I’m a member of all the churches and mosques. So that you don’t tie me. Any day I want to go to another church or mosque, I will and we will support them too,” he said.

Earlier, Venerable (Dr.) Benjamin Idume, Archdeacon and Vicar, St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, in his sermon, described Barrister Wike’s appointment to the FCT as preordained and commended President Tinubu’s visionary leadership.

He lauded the Minister’s performance, stating, “I thank God that your appointment was sustained and you have proved doubting Thomases wrong”, and prayed for God to continue to guide and protect him.