By Adesakin Adefemi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is targeting opposition parties to create a one-party state.
Wike made this statement during an interview with selected journalists in Abuja on Friday, where he reflected on his past struggles with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike emphasized that the current challenges facing opposition parties are minimal compared to what he faced under the late Muhammadu Buhari administration. “It’s not correct that the current ruling party is killing the opposition, and I take exceptions to that,” Wike said.
The FCT minister recounted his personal experience, stating, “If there was anybody tormented by a government, it was me, and I never ran away. I was personally haunted under Buhari.” Wike cited an instance where he fought against Modu Sheriff, a former chairman of the PDP, and won at the federal high court.
According to Wike, the victory was one of the reasons the government sent the State Security Service (SSS) to impound Justice Leman at the federal high court. Despite the challenges, Wike stated that he never ran away and instead hired lawyers to take the matter to the Supreme Court, ultimately throwing out Modu Sheriff.
Wike also described claims that the Tinubu administration is harassing opposition parties as misleading. “Under Buhari, this is what they did to kill PDP. All these people shouting… it is only when it does not favor you,” he said.
The Rivers governor noted that both ruling and opposition parties often look for loopholes to gain political advantage. “If you are an opposition party, you know the government or the ruling party will always look for a loophole. That is politics,” Wike said.
Wike’s statement comes amid controversy surrounding the de-recognition of the David Mark-led ADC leadership and the Nafiu Gombe faction by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over a March 12 appeal court judgment and pending litigation before the federal high court.
The APC and President Bola Tinubu have faced accusations of targeting opposition parties to create a one-party state. However, Wike’s remarks suggest that the current challenges facing opposition parties are not unusual in Nigerian politics.
The development highlights the ongoing struggle for political dominance in Nigeria, with various parties vying for power and influence.
