Wike Blasts Atiku, Mark, Amaechi, Others—Says ADC Coalition Is Driven by Self-Interest, Not National Rescue

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at prominent opposition leaders now spearheading the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition, accusing them of pursuing personal political interests under the guise of rescuing Nigeria.

Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Thursday, Wike dismissed the credibility of the coalition, describing its key actors as “disgruntled politicians who are angry because they lost power,” not because of any genuine concern for the plight of Nigerians.

Wike criticised former Senate President David Mark, who recently emerged as interim chairman of the ADC coalition, claiming that Mark had attempted to hijack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by seeking its national chairmanship. According to Wike, “David Mark wanted to be PDP chairman and we said no. His daughter even won election under APC in his federal constituency, and he lost as a PDP leader.”

The former Rivers State governor also reignited his rivalry with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, asserting that he defeated Amaechi politically in Rivers State even when the latter served as the Director-General of the APC presidential campaign and later as a “super minister.” “I defeated Amaechi in Rivers state, all round, when he was APC Campaign DG and even as a super minister,” Wike declared.

Turning to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Wike said the level of corruption under his eight-year tenure was enormous. “Corruption under Malami as Attorney General for eight years cannot be overemphasised,” he stated, without mincing words.

Wike also took a jab at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now one of the frontliners of the ADC coalition. He criticised Atiku’s history of party defections, questioning his political consistency and moral standing. “Atiku was the vice president for eight years, and he’s been hovering from one party to another. What is he going to tell his children?” he asked.

On the internal crisis that rocked the PDP in Imo State, Wike blamed former governor Emeka Ihedioha’s exit from the party on personal grievances. He said Ihedioha left PDP simply because Senator Samuel Anyanwu, popularly known as “Sam Daddy,” was not removed as the party’s National Secretary. “Instead of these elements to say they are angry for being defeated, they said Nigerians are angry and they want to rescue Nigeria,” Wike added sarcastically.

The FCT Minister insisted that the ADC coalition, formed by politicians such as Atiku, Peter Obi, Amaechi, Nasir el-Rufai, and David Mark, is not grounded in ideology or national interest but is merely a gathering of individuals united by a shared desire to return to power at all costs.

“They call it a rescue mission, but the truth is, they are just angry politicians banding together because they’ve lost relevance in their former parties,” Wike said.

Despite ongoing internal disputes within the PDP and opposition from some members over his alignment with the APC-led federal government, Wike maintained that he remains committed to delivering results both in the FCT and in national politics.

“I fear no one,” he said. “My record in Rivers and now in the FCT is there for Nigerians to judge.”

His comments come just two days after the formal declaration of the ADC as the platform for a broad-based opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.