The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned Nigerians against placing excessive confidence in emerging political parties, insisting that neither the African Democratic Congress nor the Nigeria Democratic Congress represents the solution to the country’s challenges.
Wike accused the two parties of misleading Nigerians with claims of offering a credible alternative to the established political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing on Sunday, the former Rivers State governor questioned the internal democratic credentials of both parties, citing controversies that reportedly trailed their recent primary elections.
According to him, political groups seeking to take over power must first demonstrate transparency and fairness in their internal processes before presenting themselves as agents of change.
He argued that the ADC, despite its criticism of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress, failed to conduct a primary election that enjoyed the confidence of all its presidential aspirants.
Wike noted that disagreements arising from the party’s primary exercise exposed what he described as contradictions in the coalition’s claims of promoting a better democratic culture.
The minister also took a swipe at the NDC, saying the party had similarly struggled to conduct its internal affairs without disputes and protests.
He maintained that Nigerians should be wary of politicians portraying themselves as political messiahs while allegedly failing to uphold democratic principles within their own organisations.
Wike said recent developments within the ADC and NDC showed that the parties were not fundamentally different from the political structures they frequently criticise.
He urged Nigerians to critically assess the records and conduct of political parties rather than rely on campaign rhetoric and promises ahead of the 2027 elections.
