Wike slams opposition parties, calls NDC, ADC “liars” over internal crises

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described opposition political parties as “known liars”, accusing them of misleading Nigerians about their commitment to political reform.

 

Wike made the remarks on Monday during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, where he criticised what he called inconsistencies and credibility gaps in the conduct of opposition parties, particularly during their recent primaries.

 

He specifically faulted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying both parties had failed to meet the standards they claim to represent.

 

“They said they are the saviour that will come. What has happened now?” Wike said.

 

“NDC said we are the new face of democracy. ADC said this is a party that hasn’t been polluted one day… What has happened? So dirty. See what has happened in the NDC. As small as they are, they cannot do a primary without protest,” he added.

 

Wike argued that parties projecting themselves as “messianic” or “untainted” had instead been embroiled in internal disputes and contested primaries.

 

He questioned their capacity to offer better leadership, saying their internal processes reflected the same challenges they criticise in other parties.

 

“Who is deceiving whom? Who is coming to Nigeria to tell them lies that we are the newborn baby, the messiahs of the time of Nigeria?” he said.

 

The minister also compared the opposition parties with the major political blocs, suggesting that established parties, despite their flaws, had more experience navigating Nigeria’s political environment.

 

“My assessment is that I prefer, from what I’ve seen, the old parties that are running, because they have tested this environment and know what Nigerian politics is all about,” Wike added.