Momodu: Opposition has abandoned PDP to Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has delivered a stinging critique of Nigeria’s opposition politics, describing the emerging coalition of parties as “a cynical ploy by political elites desperate to reclaim power”. He made the remark during a media briefing in Abuja yesterday.

“You were in power for eight years, Nigeria was already neck-deep in debt to China under your watch. What did you do to stop Nigerians from suffering then?” Wike challenged, in a pointed reference to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

He argued that the coalition’s rhetoric about “rescuing Nigeria” was both “deceitful and insulting”, insisting that its architects had failed in governance and were now seeking to exploit public anger for political gain. “Nigerians are not angry because you lost power. They’re angry because you failed them. Stop playing politics with their pain,” he said.

On the internal schism within the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike rejected claims that he had orchestrated a crackdown on a factional caucus meeting, saying the national leadership had formally requested security arrangements.

“The National Chairman and Secretary asked for security support. That meeting was held. If another group was locked out, maybe it’s because they’re not officially recognised,” he explained, adding that rivals began protesting only after failing to secure top leadership positions.

Amid accusations of betrayal for working with the All Progressives Congress-led federal government, Wike defended his stance, stressing that party loyalty should not override national interest. “I’m still in PDP. I haven’t left. But I support what’s good for Nigeria. Didn’t PDP governors back Buhari in the past? Why is mine different?” he asked.

The minister also criticised voters for enabling poor leadership by casting ballots along ethnic and religious lines rather than merit. “You vote for tribe and religion, not competence. Then you complain. If I support a party, I must be able to say what they’ve achieved. You should do the same,” he said.

Warning both political elites and opposition figures against treating governance as “a game”, Wike concluded: “We must stop playing politics with people’s lives. If PDP wants to challenge this government, let it do so with integrity, not through blackmail and manipulation.”

Wike declines to reveal truce details, says Rivers’ peace more important
Addressing the recent political reconciliation in Rivers State, Wike declined to disclose the details of the truce brokered between him and the suspended governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara. He insisted that the most important outcome was the restoration of peace.

“I will allow you to speculate, it’s not my business. All I know is that peace has come,” Wike said.
“If you are not satisfied with that, there is nothing we can do. What is important is that peace has returned, whatever thing anybody says is not my business.”

Wike also alleged that certain individuals had turned the Rivers State crisis into a money-making scheme, and that they are now unhappy with the reconciliation. He claimed that these persons enriched themselves by exploiting the conflict for selfish purposes and are now discontent with the peace efforts between him and Governor Fubara.

Last month, President Bola Tinubu hosted a conciliatory meeting involving Wike, Fubara, and suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which marked a turning point in efforts to restore calm in the state.

‘Claim of 2,000-hectare land gift to sons rubbish’
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended his children’s right to own land in Nigeria, insisting they are citizens and not foreigners. He made the remark while denying allegations that he allocated large portions of land in Maitama and Asokoro to his sons.

According to Wike, as long as due process is followed, his children have every right to apply for and own land in the country.

“Assuming, though not conceding, my children applied for land. Are they not citizens? Are they Ghanaians? Even if they applied, are they not entitled because I’m a minister?” Wike queried.

Describing the allegations as a smear campaign aimed at discrediting him, Wike questioned the feasibility of the claim that he allocated 2,000 hectares of land in the upscale districts of Maitama and Asokoro.

“First, calculate land in Maitama and Asokoro and tell me where you’d get 2,000 hectares of land. And I know where it is coming from. It is from Adamawa State. I am aware.

“The whole thing is rubbish. Where in Maitama and Asokoro can you find 2,000 hectares? Bring the documents, bring empirical evidence,” he said.
Momodu: Opposition has abandoned PDP to Wike

Veteran journalist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dele Momodu, has alleged that many loyalists of Nigeria’s main opposition party are abandoning its structure, leaving it under the control of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his allies.

Momodu made the remarks yesterday during an appearance on Channels TV’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, where he also reaffirmed his support for a new coalition of opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Without any doubt, people are leaving the carcass of PDP to Wike and his cronies, that’s all. It was a prophecy foretold,” Momodu said in response to a question about whether he planned to leave the party.

Although Wike remains a PDP member, he currently serves as minister in President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government—a development that has fuelled internal tensions within the PDP and sparked accusations of dual allegiance.

Momodu further alleged that the APC is deploying strategic sabotage by planting loyalists within opposition ranks to undermine their prospects in the next general election.

“The ruling party does not want competition in 2027, so what they are doing now is to send their moles into any major formidable party,” he stated.
Despite the political uncertainty, Momodu expressed optimism about the prospects of a newly-formed opposition alliance, which has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political vehicle for the 2027 polls.

“I have never seen that kind of coalition, even when we were doing coalition for Buhari in 2014 and 2015, it was not this powerful and impactful,” he said.

“What I saw yesterday (Wednesday) rekindled my hope in Nigeria—that Nigerians will not sit down and allow one man to hijack the country.” Momodu also took aim at the Tinubu administration, criticising what he described as a deteriorating national situation. Comparing the current state of affairs to the controversial tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, he suggested that conditions had worsened.

“I know you might not be able to answer, but is this the Nigeria of your dreams? Are you better today than you were two years ago? At least when Buhari left, we saw what he left, no matter how bad it was. But it is much worse today,” he said.

ADC flays ex-Rivers gov over attacks on opposition coalition
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, over what it described as crude and unbecoming attacks on leaders of the emerging coalition of opposition political parties.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the party accused Wike of being “jittery” over the successful unveiling of the coalition platform, which it said poses a serious political threat to the government he serves.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition movement, ADC chieftain and spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said Wike’s media outburst was not only inappropriate for a federal minister but a sign of panic over the growing popularity of the opposition front.

“We believe Wike could only descend to that level because of his mortal fear of the threat that the successful unveiling of the coalition of opposition political parties constitutes to the government that he serves,” Abdullahi said.

He further argued that the coalition movement arose out of necessity, driven by the government’s failure to meet the basic expectations of Nigerians, and not by personal grievances, as Wike had claimed.

“If Wike and the government he represents had kept their promises to the Nigerian people, the coalition movement would not have been necessary,” the statement read.

The coalition highlighted some of its major grievances, including the prolonged strike by primary school teachers in the FCT. It condemned the continued neglect of basic education and accused Wike of refusing to pay the salaries of striking teachers, thereby denying thousands of children access to education.

On the poor treatment of FCT workers, the coalition criticised what it described as Wike’s “contemptuous” handling of public servants in the FCT, even as he embarked on flashy but unproductive projects costing billions of naira.

On the rising insecurity in the capital, the ADC decried the growing threats to safety under Wike’s watch, warning that the situation undermines confidence in the government.

The statement also faulted Wike’s role in the internal crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing him of acting as a political hatchet man for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a bid to weaken the main opposition.

According to Abdullahi, the real grievance lies in the widespread hardship being faced by Nigerians under the current government, which has pushed millions into poverty despite promises of renewed hope.

“Children of the poor are unable to go to school, insecurity is rising, and poverty is deepening—this is what has provoked the coalition, not personal vendettas,” he said.

The ADC reaffirmed the coalition’s resolve to provide an alternative political direction for the country, insisting that no amount of intimidation or insults from government officials would stop the momentum of what it called “a movement of the Nigerian people.”

“It is too late to cry wolf. This movement is beyond any one individual. It is a direct response to the betrayal of trust by those in power,” the statement concluded.

Teachers’ union to decide on FCT minister’s proposal as strike enters fourth month
Leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to meet urgently to deliberate on a new proposal from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, aimed at ending the over three-month-old strike by primary school teachers.

The emergency meeting, to be convened by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the union, follows a high-level engagement involving the NUT, chairmen of the six FCT Area Councils, and representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The meeting was held at the minister’s residence in Abuja.

The teachers have been on strike since March 24, 2025, over the non-implementation of demands outlined in a tripartite agreement signed on December 11, 2024. These include the enforcement of a N70,000 minimum wage, settlement of 25 to 35 per cent salary arrears, payment of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance, a N35,000 wage award approved by the Federal Government, and outstanding promotion arrears.

In a key development during the closed-door talks, chairmen of the Area Councils agreed to cede 10 per cent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for six months to meet part of the teachers’ financial demands.

Abubakar Abdullahi, Chairman of Abaji Area Council who spoke on behalf of the council leaders, said although the decision was financially difficult, it was taken in good faith to restore academic activities across the territory.

“Our six months’ IGR has been entirely committed to resolving this issue. We are appealing to the NUT to consider our children and call off the strike. The minister made it clear that he is not legally empowered to withhold council IGR, but in the interest of peace and education, we voluntarily agreed to this arrangement,” Abdullahi said.

On the financial terms, NANS President, Olushola Ladoja, stated that the teachers demanded a 70 per cent payment of the arrears, which was considered achievable under the proposed IGR arrangement. He also confirmed the establishment of a joint committee to address the remaining issues, with a report expected within two weeks.

“We appreciate the minister’s willingness to mediate and the sacrifices made by the Area Councils. We now await the decision of the NUT leadership,” Ladoja said.

FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Shafas, said the union would review the proposals at a scheduled SWEC meeting before taking a position on suspending the strike.

“We’ve heard the proposals and appreciate the gesture, but our executive council will meet shortly to take a final position,” he said. If the union accepts the terms, thousands of pupils in public primary schools across the FCT may return to the classrooms as early as this week, marking the end of a prolonged disruption in the academic calendar.