Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged Nigerians to reject the new opposition coalition, alleging that the political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is seeking to destroy the country.
Wike’s demand came on the heels of statements made by the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who said that the fear of intimidation by the administration of President Bola Tinubu prevented state governors from joining the coalition.
Also, the Interim National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, has raised the alarm that Northern Nigeria is bleeding, pointing out that his party is the only platform that can address the avalanche of challenges bedeviling the region if voted into power.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the ADC and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has said that votes will decide the winners of the next elections.
Wike spoke yesterday at the 50th anniversary and 35th convocation of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Science degree in Political Science.
Also honoured at the event are Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri.
Speaking immediately after the conferment, the former governor of Rivers State mocked the political coalition, stressing that they are aggrieved and have nothing to offer the country.
He described them as ‘mafias’ who move around political parties without a clue of what they want or can offer to the nation.
Wike recalled that on assumption of office, President Bola Tinubu’s administration met a decaying system, assuring that the government is working tirelessly to restore the system.
“We must admit that the President met a dire socio-economic situation upon assumption of office. This challenging situation requires painful decisions if the country must survive, recover, and make progress again.
“These decisions have been taken as expected of a genuinely bold and visionary leader. The resultant consequences may not in some instances be immediately palatable, but be assured that joy is inevitably coming.”
Wike argued that “these men and women who co-live under the banner of the so-called coalition are propelling, seeking political relevance. If you interrogate their profiles, you will see that they have been in office for almost all their lives, but they have nothing concrete to show as achievements in building an enduring nation.
“In only two years of this administration, they are aggregating to destroy rather than build, rather than reconstruct our hitherto battered country, which most of them contributed to the willful destruction of our politics and our economy, which they orchestrated in their respective tenure in office,” Wike explained.
Wike, however, stated: “We know these Mafias and you are enjoined to reject them and their patriotic drumbeat of division and propaganda”.
Speaking further, Wike gave reasons for supporting the University of Port Harcourt as a governor and a minister.
In his remarks, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas(rtd), reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality education at all levels, emphasising that no child will be left behind or denied the opportunity for academic advancement.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Owunari Georgewill, expressed his joy in the institution’s 50-year journey of academic excellence and service to the nation since its establishment in 1975.
He announced that, as part of the anniversary celebration, the university is conducting its 35th combined convocation ceremony, conferring a total of 13,861 degrees.
This includes 9,788 Bachelor’s degrees, 2,131 master’s degrees, 208 postgraduate diplomas, and 934 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
