Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday took a swipe at opposition parties, saying the controversies that followed their congresses and primary elections exposed the gap between their public claims and the realities within their own ranks.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike said some of the parties that presented themselves to Nigerians as credible alternatives to the country’s established political platforms were now battling allegations of irregularities, protests and internal disputes arising from their own electoral processes.
According to him, recent developments have raised questions about the democratic credentials of political actors who frequently accuse larger parties of lacking internal democracy.
“They told Nigerians they were the new face of democracy and the alternative platform for change. But what we have seen is that even within their own structures, there are allegations of irregularities and protests over congresses and primaries,” he said.
The FCT minister noted that complaints over the conduct of congresses and primaries were not limited to party members, pointing out that even some presidential aspirants openly challenged the credibility of the exercises.
He said the situation should serve as a reminder that political parties and leaders ought to be judged by their actions and capacity to manage internal affairs rather than by campaign slogans and public rhetoric.
Wike argued that political party management in Nigeria requires a deep understanding of the country’s political realities, maintaining that parties that have existed for years have developed mechanisms for handling disagreements and organisational challenges.
“My assessment is that the parties that have been tested over time understand the complexities of Nigeria’s political culture and democratic process,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also dismissed suggestions that some of the country’s major political parties had lost relevance, insisting that political strength is determined by performance, internal cohesion and the support of the electorate.
His remarks come amid increasing political manoeuvring and realignments across party lines ahead of future electoral contests, with opposition parties seeking to consolidate their structures and expand their support base.
Wike urged political leaders to place greater emphasis on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting internal party democracy instead of focusing on rhetoric aimed at discrediting political opponents.
