Wike dismisses one-party state claims, says APC not undermining opposition

 Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has dismissed allegations that All Progressives Congress is working to weaken opposition parties, insisting that the current political climate does not amount to an assault on democratic opposition.

Speaking in Abuja during an interview with selected journalists on Friday, Wike said accusations that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is plotting to create a one-party state are exaggerated.

According to him, the difficulties presently confronting opposition parties are minor compared with the battles he personally endured during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari while defending the interests of Peoples Democratic Party.

“It is not correct to say the ruling party is killing the opposition. I strongly disagree with that claim. If anyone was truly persecuted by government, I was one of them under Buhari, yet I did not run away,” Wike said.

He recalled the internal leadership crisis involving Ali Modu Sheriff, noting that despite judicial victories, the party still faced institutional pressure.

“We fought Modu Sheriff and won at the Federal High Court. That judgment was part of what led to security pressure on the judiciary at the time, but we stayed through the legal process until the Supreme Court resolved it,” he added.

Wike maintained that political parties—whether in government or opposition—naturally seek strategic advantage within the law, describing such maneuvering as part of democratic politics.

He said: “If you are in opposition, you must understand that the ruling party will always search for openings. That is politics.”

The statement comes amid controversy surrounding recent electoral disputes involving Independent National Electoral Commission and leadership disagreements within opposition platforms.