Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vehemently dismissed the recent coalition movement by opposition political parties, asserting that their agenda was driven by selfish ambition rather than a genuine desire to rescue Nigeria.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving service in Abuja on Sunday to celebrate the successful completion of projects commissioning in the FCT by President Bola Tinubu to mark the President’s second year in office, Minister Wike challenged the opposition’s narrative.
In a statement by the Assistant Director Press in the Minister’s office Rabi Umar, Wike said “They want to rescue their stomach, not Nigeria.”
Minister Wike who debunked claims that the opposition aimed to save the nation said that Nigerians’ anger is directed not at the current administration, but at members of the opposition for their past failures to deliver democratic dividends.
He challenged the coalition 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, and 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” the Minister wondered.
Minister Wike highlighted what he described as the ‘opposition’s hypocrisy’, noting their silence on national issues when they held power.
“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.
The Minister cited examples such as the bombing of trains during previous administrations and the accumulation of national debt without commensurate development.
Minister Wike reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to good governance, citing positive changes already brought about, including the transparent handling of oil subsidy removal, which has significantly increased monthly allocations to states.
He pointed to progressive reforms within the FCT under President Tinubu’s leadership, such as the appointment of dedicated workers as Permanent Secretaries, the withdrawal of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to boost infrastructure funding, and the successful rehabilitation of the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, which has led to an increase in revenue for the FCTA.
While urging Nigerians to be discerning, the Minister appealed to the church to continue praying for President Tinubu and his cabinet, emphasizing that overcoming years of national challenges required patience and bold decisions.
He expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to contribute to national growth, acknowledging the competent team assembled under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier, Venerable (Dr.) Benjamin Idume, Archdeacon and Vicar, St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, in his sermon, described Minister 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.
The Thanksgiving service was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaehule, former Governors of Abia, Benue, and Enugu States, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi respectively, former Senator representing the FCT, Senator Philip Aduda, Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engineer Richard Yunana Dauda, other top officials of the FCTA, chairmen of FCT Area Councils, among others.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award of excellence as an Ambassador of Christ to the FCT Minister by the Anglican Church.
