- The FCT minister blamed Amaechi for saddling Nigeria with huge Chinese loans during his tenure in transportation ministry.
- Wike said Tinubu inherited insecurity and is trying to fix problems created by former government officials.
The minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike, has faulted members of the new coalition who recently assumed control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking at a media parley on Thursday, Wike said most of the coalition members once held top offices but left little to show for their time in power.
He said the former senate president, David Mark, lacked the moral right to talk about rescuing the country after failing to bring development to his own community.
“I heard David Mark say Nigerians are angry and that they want to rescue the country,” Wike said.
“But he was the senate president for eight years. Was there any project in Otukpo? Not one. He was flying there with helicopters. Were Nigerians not angry then?”
The FCT minister said Mark’s influence has waned, citing the victory of his daughter under the APC in an election as proof.
He also took aim at the former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of plunging Nigeria into debt through reckless Chinese loans.
“Amaechi took Chinese loans and buried Nigeria in debt. But they say Nigerians were happy then,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate that they will use Nigerians to play politics up and down.
“When you are angry with me, Nigerians were not happy. The only time Nigerians are happy is when you are in power. The moment you are no longer in power, Nigerians are angry.”
The minister said President Bola Tinubu is not to blame for the current wave of insecurity, insisting that the problems existed long before he assumed office.
“Was it under Tinubu’s government that banditry started? He’s trying to solve the problems they left behind,” he said.
Wike questioned the fate of the failed national carrier project under the former aviation minister, Hadi Sirika.
“I saw Sirika. What happened to Air Nigeria? Nigerians were happy then?” he asked.
He also criticised Malami, the former AGF, describing his recent comments as shameful and lacking substance.
“I read what Malami wrote — it was shameful. What did he do to resolve the security challenges as AGF?” Wike said.
He accused Tambuwal of lacking a legacy, saying he failed to make any real difference as speaker or as Sokoto State governor.
“Tambuwal was speaker for four years and governor for eight. What exactly did he do to reduce the anger of Nigerians?” he asked.
Wike claimed the former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, only joined the ADC after falling out with his political godfather, Bukola Saraki.
He concluded that the only party capable of challenging the ruling APC is the PDP — if it can put its house in order.
Recall that on Wednesday, the coalition unveiled the ADC as its political vehicle ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former senate president, David Mark, was announced as interim national chairman, while the former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, was named interim national secretary.
Other political figures at the unveiling included the former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and the former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
Also present were the former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; the former minister of sports, Solomon Dalung; and the former national chairman of the APC, Odigie Oyegun.
Others in the fold include the former attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami; Dino Melaye; Dele Momodu; Eyinnanya Abaribe; Gabriel Suswan; Ireti Kingibe; Elisha Abbo; Uche Secondus; Tunde Ogbeha; Victor Umeh; Lauretta Onochie; Liyel Imoke; and Bolaji Abdullahi.
Discussion about this post