By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says the coast is clear for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, arguing that opposition coalition groups have disintegrated amid personal and selfish interests.
Speaking during an inspection tour of projects on Monday, Wike dismissed talk of a united opposition, saying there is “no coalition” in place.
“There’s no coalition. All you see is personal, selfish interests,” he said. “The moment they quarrel with the leadership of the country, or they have not gotten what they want, they all gather together and say, ‘This government is not doing well. We are the face of the new people. We are the ones that will give the people the change they require.’ They want to make their lives better.”
Wike cited remarks by former SGF Babachir Lawal as proof of crisis within the opposition. Lawal had spoken against rigging and manipulation, naming former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a “rigging machine.”
“If you’re a politician, you will understand that the structure was set for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,” Wike said. “There’s no need worrying yourself to say you want to participate as a coalition party. There’s no coalition.”
He added that Lawal’s comments had vindicated his position.
“For Babachir to come out to say that, it means that things are really very bad in their so-called mushroom political parties. So don’t bother yourself every time asking us if the coalition will be strong. Nothing is strong. Nothing. So we’re happy. You can see the coast is very much, very much, very much, very much clear for Mr. President to be re-elected in 2027.”
Meanwhile, Wike also inspected the Gbazango Road, popularly known as Arab Road, and Pai Road III ahead of their commissioning to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office.
He said the road, constructed by Zeberced, is among the projects lined up for the month-long commissioning exercise.
“We went to Gbazango Road, popularly known as Arab Road. Luckily, it’s been constructed by Zeberced. That road is one of the roads we will commission for Mr. President’s third year in office,” Wike said during the visit.
He noted that the visit was unannounced to residents, with notice only given to the contractor to assess progress.
“Truly, we’re happy. The company has done a good job with the drainages. You can see the street lights, they have finished all the pillars. So the people are happy, and we are also happy,” he said. “That shows that we are ready for the third anniversary of Mr. President, as promised.”
Wike commended Zeberced for delivering on the contract and confirmed that commissioning would begin on Monday, August 8.
“As promised, they’ve kept the terms, and I want to commend Zeberced for a job well done. We believe from the 8th, which is Monday next week, that we’ll start off with the commissioning,” he said.
Asked what the residents’ reception meant for the Renewed Hope Agenda, Wike said the project reflected the administration’s commitment to improving lives.
“It says that, of course, Renewed Hope has come to them to change their lives, as we promised,” he said. “Things were bad before now, things are getting better. They never believed they could have this road. They never had any impact on government or governance before. They were hearing ‘government, government, government,’ but didn’t know what government meant. But now, they currently know what government is all about – changing their lives, bringing good things to them.”
He added: “So it makes us happy too that they are all happy. That’s the essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda: trying to make people believe that things will come back to what they’re supposed to be. Governance is all about improving the lives of people, changing their lives for the better. That’s the essence of governance. So we are happy, and we will continue to do better, improve on more things, bring more things to them. I think this is what is expected of government, and the Renewed Hope is really working.” Wike said.
