Nyesome Wike, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister, has dismissed suggestions that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC is trying to create a one-party state by destabilising the opposition in the country.
Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which has been torn apart due to the infighting among its leaders, who has in turn blamed the ruling party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its leadership crisis. The minister is leading one of the two factions claiming leadership.
The minister spoke in Abuja, the nation’s capital during his monthly media chat wit select journalists.
Wike’s remark comes on the heels of the recent decision of the INEC to de-recognise the David Mark-led National Working Committee, NWC of the top opposition party in the country, the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The electoral umpire Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan said on Thursday that it acted based on a court order, saying the action is a blessing in disguise for the ADC, as doing otherwise could spell doom for the party in the 2027 election.
Reacting to the backlash that has trailed INEC action, Wike said
It’s untrue that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying to create a one-party state, noting that any party in power will do everything to be in control, citing the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari which he accused of really dealing with the opposition.
The minister explained that he was a major target during the administration of President Buhari but stood his ground.
“ If there was anybody tormented by a government, it was me, and I never ran away. I was personally haunted under Buhari,” Wike said.
“We fought Modu Sheriff. We won at the federal high court. That victory was one of the reasons the government sent the SSS to impound Justice Leman at the Federal High Court.
“But I never ran away. I hired lawyers, and the matter went to the Supreme Court. That’s how we threw out Modu Sheriff.
“Under Buhari, this is what they did to kill PDP. All these people shouting, it is only when it does not favour you, which of them, including ADC, will say this government is tormenting him? Let nobody say that the EFCC has come after the governor; remember that Bala Mohammed had EFCC issues before he became a governor.
“If you are an opposition party, you know the government or the ruling party will always look for a loophole. That is politics,” the minister said.
President Tinubu had in response to the allegation by opposition political parties in the country, that he’s trying to stiffen them, described one of the parties, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as a sinking ship that members are ruining away from.
Critics of the government said President Tinubu is afraid of a free and fair election in 2027, that’s why he’s allegedly trying to destabilise the opposition.
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