Opposition Weakness Is Not APC’s Problem

Nigeria’s FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has said the ruling party is not responsible for helping opposition parties become stronger, arguing that political parties must resolve their internal weaknesses to remain competitive.

Wike made the remarks during a FCT media chat on State of the Nation on Tuesday, where he addressed concerns that the government was attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of future elections.

Responding to accusations that the ruling party was trying to suppress opposition voices, Wike said politics is a contest for power and parties are expected to take advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses.

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“In politics, it is not my duty to strengthen my opponent. I want to preside over, I want to lead, and we are struggling for power,” he said.

Wike added that when a political opponent has internal challenges, it is not the responsibility of a rival party to help resolve them.

“If I have anything to make them weaker, yes,” he stated.

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Credit: NewsCentral TV.

Using the crisis within the Philippines opposition party as an example, the minister said internal disagreements and personal interests had weakened what should have been a strong political alternative.

“The Philippines ought to be the most formidable opposition party. But because of selfish interests and people who do not understand that you need to sacrifice personal interests and work for the party to be stronger, the party has crisis,” Wike said.

He noted that prolonged legal battles and internal disputes had affected the party’s ability to effectively challenge the ruling party.

According to Wike, political parties must identify and address their weaknesses instead of blaming opponents for their challenges.

He said if a ruling party notices divisions within an opposition party, its expectation would naturally be for those issues to remain unresolved.

“The ruling party finds out that you have that kind of loopholes. What will be their prayer? Their prayer will be, may you not resolve the crisis,” he added.

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The FCT Minister’s comments come during ongoing political realignments and discussions over the strength of Nigeria’s opposition ahead of future elections.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says politics is a contest for power, where parties seek every legitimate advantage over their opponents, attributing the challenges facing Nigeria’s opposition parties to unresolved internal disputes and personal ambitions. pic.twitter.com/SYDSqQ7IAa

— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) August 4, 2026

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