Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), over controversies surrounding their congresses and primary elections.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor said the disputes that trailed the parties’ internal processes had exposed what he described as the hypocrisy of politicians who claim to offer Nigerians a better alternative to the existing political parties.
Wike noted that opposition figures had often accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of imposing candidates, but had become embroiled in similar controversies within their own parties.
According to him, the ADC and NDC, which presented themselves as cleaner and more democratic alternatives, had failed to live up to those expectations following disputes that emerged during their congresses and primaries.
The minister also referenced complaints raised by aspirants who participated in the exercises, saying the allegations called into question the credibility of the processes. He cited the ADC presidential primary, which was challenged by aspirants including Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen over alleged irregularities and voter disenfranchisement.
Wike argued that the developments had given Nigerians a clearer understanding of the realities within the opposition parties, insisting that those who promised a new political culture had failed to demonstrate it in practice.
He further stated that the older political parties, despite their shortcomings, had acquired experience in managing Nigeria’s complex political environment.