Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has defended President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, while dismissing the 2027 presidential ambitions of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike

• Says Tinubu inherited a broken economy, deserves time to deliver
• Rivers ADC faults Wike over attack on Amaechi
• Onaiyekan supports nobody, Amaechi counters Wike’s claim
• Catholic Laity to Presidency: Onaiyekan spoke out of concern for Nigeria, not malice
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, insisting that the administration inherited a badly damaged economy that could not be fixed overnight.

He also dismissed the presidential ambitions of Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike, who spoke during his monthly media chat with selected television stations in Abuja, said that although the administration’s policies had imposed short-term hardship on Nigerians, they were necessary to reverse years of economic decline and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

The former Rivers State governor maintained that Tinubu had demonstrated the political courage that previous administrations lacked by ending the petrol subsidy regime, which he described as a major drain on the nation’s resources.

According to him, successive governments acknowledged that fuel subsidy was unsustainable but failed to muster the political will to abolish it.

Wike contended that while no government decision could be entirely flawless, effective leadership was defined by the willingness to make difficult choices in the national interest.

He said Tinubu deserved credit for taking what he described as a bold but necessary decision that had eluded previous presidents.

The minister also urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the administration, saying that rebuilding an economy weakened over many years could not be accomplished within a short period.

Wike, however, accused the former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, of engaging in what he described as “politics of sentiment,” alleging that some of his public engagements were carefully choreographed to attract sympathy rather than reflect genuine leadership.

The FCT minister was equally unsparing in his criticism of Atiku, saying that comments previously made by the former vice president should serve as sufficient warning to Nigerians.

MEANWHILE, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has chided Wike over his comments against former governor of the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as someone with zero political value and a political liability.

The party accused Wike of attempting to convince residents that the 2027 general election is already decided.

Wike made the comments during a media chat with journalists in Abuja.

The party described as ironic Wike’s repeated attacks on opposition figures despite his insistence that they pose no electoral threat, saying that such actions reflect anxiety rather than confidence.

In a statement by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, the ADC said Wike’s attempt to rewrite political history would not diminish Amaechi’s contributions to governance and national politics.

The ADC, while responding to Wike’s claim that only one political platform could win Rivers State in 2027, the party insisted that the outcome of any election would be determined by voters, not by one person or political declarations.

HOWEVER, Amaechi has defended Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, insisting that the cleric has no political affiliation and does not support any politician.

Amaechi made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today while reacting to claims by Wike that the Catholic cleric was not impartial during the 2023 general elections.

The former Rivers State governor said he had to suspend the traditional mourning of his late mother to appear on the programme because he considered it necessary to defend his Christian faith amid the controversy surrounding the Cardinal.

“If a religious leader is perceived or seen to be taking a side, which is very clear, it is very difficult for people to begin to see those comments as being helpful,” Wike had said.

ALSO, the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has defended Onaiyekan over his recent comments on Tinubu’s engagement with Catholic bishops, insisting that the former Archbishop of Abuja spoke out of genuine concern for the country and not out of malice or political bias.

The Council’s reaction followed criticism from the Presidency after Onaiyekan suggested that the Tinubu administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 general elections “by all means.”

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Ambrose Obioha, and Secretary-General, Francis Olayinka Ojo, the CLCN said Onaiyekan’s comments were intended to awaken the nation’s conscience rather than embarrass the Federal Government.