Wike dismisses the coalition, claiming that “they have nothing to show.”
Abuja —By: OVL N e w s 28h August 2025 The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has poured cold water on the growing buzz around alleged political alliances, insisting that no credible coalition currently exists to challenge the ruling order.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike declared:
“There’s no coalition. They have nothing to show. Nigerians want to see results, not empty talks or political arrangements that end up as photo opportunities.”
Wike’s statement rekindles memories of Nigeria’s history with political coalitions. The most successful came in 2013, when opposition parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
That coalition achieved the historic feat of unseating the then-ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
Since then, other attempts have struggled. In 2018, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) emerged with fanfare ahead of the 2019 elections but was soon beset by internal wrangling and lack of focus. The movement collapsed even before ballots were cast.
Political analysts suggest that Wike’s words reflect a pragmatic reading of the terrain.
Dr. Aisha Suleiman, a political scientist at the University of Abuja, told The Guardian:
“The history of coalitions in Nigeria shows that unless there is a unifying ideology and a credible governance agenda, alliances rarely survive. Wike is tapping into that frustration and telling Nigerians to judge politicians by what they can deliver, not by alliances on paper.”
Another analyst, Lagos-based columnist Chike Ogbodo, argued that Wike’s dismissal might also be tactical:
“Wike is positioning himself as a power broker ahead of 2027. By discrediting the coalition early, he is sending a message that the ruling structure remains strong, while reminding the opposition that Nigerians are hungry for solutions, not promises.”
Unsurprisingly, opposition voices disagree with Wike’s assertion.
A spokesperson for one of the coalition parties, who asked not to be named, insisted that Nigerians will soon see results:
“It is premature for Wike to dismiss the coalition. We are building a credible alternative platform that will rescue Nigerians from the hardship they currently face. The minister may downplay it, but change is coming.”
Similarly, a senior PDP chieftain in Lagos told The Guardian that Wike’s comments were “typical of his combative style.”
“Wike thrives on dismissing others, but he knows the danger of an organized opposition. If the coalition survives, it could shift the balance of power in 2027.”
As the nation inches toward the next general elections, coalition politics will remain a defining theme. For many Nigerians grappling with rising inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, the appeal of a united opposition could gain traction, if it proves credible.
But Wike’s blunt remark, “they have nothing to show,” may resonate with citizens who have witnessed past alliances collapse under the weight of personal ambition.
Whether the emerging coalition can defy history or simply become another failed political marriage remains to be seen.
