Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticised opposition parties over controversies surrounding their congresses and primary elections.
He said the disputes in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have exposed claims that they offer a better alternative to Nigeria’s established political parties.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike said opposition parties had built their public image around accusations that larger parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), imposed candidates on members.
According to him, recent developments within the opposition have revealed similar practices and internal crises.
“You hear people talk about a particular party not doing something and promise that they are going to change the pattern. You have accused the APC of imposition, the PDP of imposition,” Wike said.
“Now you have formed a new party, a new baby, a righteous baby. The messiah, the saviour that would come, what has happened now?”
The former governor of Rivers referenced disputes that trailed congresses and primary elections in ADC and NDC, adding that the controversies undermined their claims of promoting internal democracy.
“ADC said they are the new face of democracy; they said it’s the kind of party that has not been polluted. What has happened is so dirty,” he said.
“See what is happening in NDC. As small as they are, they cannot do a primary without protest.”
Wike also cited complaints raised by aspirants during party congresses, saying the allegations cast doubt on the credibility of the processes.
The ADC presidential primary was marred by controversy, as Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, presidential aspirants of the party, rejected the results over alleged irregularities and voter disenfranchisement.
“Look at ADC, which said it’s a coalition to take over. While the congress was going on, two presidential aspirants came to say we cannot believe this, saying it’s criminality of the highest order, which tells you who is deceiving whom,” he said.
The FCT minister said the developments had shown that Nigerians should assess political parties based on their conduct rather than campaign rhetoric.
“Nigerians now know that you are all liars,” he added.
Wike said older political parties, despite their challenges, have gained experience in managing Nigeria’s complex political environment.
“My assessment is that I prefer the old parties that are already there. They have tested it and know what the Nigerian culture is all about,” he said.
