The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition politicians of misleading Nigerians about President Bola Tinubu’s performance, insisting that political rivalry should not prevent recognition of the administration’s achievements.
Wike spoke during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, where he defended Tinubu’s record and criticised opposition figures who, according to him, portrayed the administration as having achieved nothing.
“Whether anybody likes it or not, Mr President has done well,” Wike said.
He argued that political competition should not require opposition parties to dismiss every action of an incumbent government, particularly where there were grounds to acknowledge progress.
“Politics must not be played as a do-or-die affair,” he said.
The minister said the emerging coalition supporting Tinubu’s re-election was partly motivated by the need to challenge what he described as unfair criticism of the President’s administration.
Wike cited remarks attributed to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as an example of an opposition figure acknowledging aspects of Tinubu’s performance.
He argued that support for the President could come from outside the All Progressives Congress and should not automatically be interpreted as a betrayal of opposition politics.
The minister also defended the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together APC members and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties, describing it as a platform for mobilising broader support for the President.
He maintained that the initiative was not intended to eliminate political differences but to create room for cooperation around a common electoral objective.
Wike cited his role in coordinating support for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, despite competing political interests in both areas.
He further argued that a political leader’s influence could be measured by the ability to persuade supporters to embrace a particular course of action.
The minister said the coalition would continue to accommodate individuals willing to contribute to Tinubu’s re-election, irrespective of their party affiliations.
In a separate comment shared by Channels Television on X, Wike dismissed suggestions that the reported Atiku Abubakar–Rotimi Amaechi political ticket was gaining significant traction, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Responding to a question about claims that the ticket was gaining ground in the North, Wike referred to Amaechi’s town hall meeting in Cross River State.
“I watched Amaechi; he had a town hall meeting in Cross River. I counted the number; they were not up to 200 people,” Wike said, according to Channels Television.
Wike’s comments come amid political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties and figures position themselves for the contest.
The minister maintained that Nigerians should assess Tinubu’s administration based on its record rather than partisan claims.