Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has boldly declared the 2027 General Election as “Operation Show Your Scorecard,” throwing a direct challenge to opposition leaders, particularly those behind the anti-Tinubu coalition now operating under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace–Radio Nigeria–New Market Road in Gwagwalada, Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu, Wike questioned the credibility of the coalition’s leaders and demanded they present tangible evidence of their past performances while in office.
He singled out former Senate President David Mark, criticizing the Benue-born ex-military officer for failing to ensure proper road access to his hometown, Otukpo, despite holding high office for several years. According to Wike, Mark’s continued use of helicopters to access Otukpo during his tenure reflects his detachment from the real issues faced by the people.
Wike remarked,
> “Let everybody show their scorecard. When I was Senate President, what did I do for the people of Benue? What did I do for Otukpo? Is it by flying helicopters there? For the past 16 days, we’ve been in the FCT showing our scorecard by commissioning completed projects.”
The Minister also took aim at his predecessor in Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of hypocrisy. Wike said Amaechi had recently called on Nigerians to protest against the current government but keeps his own children safely abroad while attempting to incite civil unrest back home.
> “If you’re serious about protest, come to Rivers with your children, not from London,” he charged.
Wike also mocked the anger expressed by some ADC leaders over the frequent commissioning of projects by top federal officials, including the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker.
> “They say Nigerians are angry, but Gwagwalada people, are you angry?” Wike asked the crowd.
He slammed the ADC for claiming to have begun coalition talks 18 months ago — which, by his calculation, means they began planning their opposition barely six months into President Tinubu’s tenure.
> “When did Tinubu come into office? Two years ago. So, 18 months ago, when he was just six months in, you already started a coalition? That’s bad faith.”
The Minister challenged other prominent members of the opposition coalition — including former House Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Amaechi — to show how their years in office benefitted Nigerians.
> “Tambuwal was Speaker for four years, Amaechi was Transport Minister for eight. What did you do to ease the anger of Nigerians then? Now someone has been in office for six months, and you’re shouting Nigerians are angry.”
Wike, known for his political battles, reminded his audience of his past electoral victories over political heavyweights, including in 2015 when he blocked a former governor’s attempt to install a successor, in 2019 when a top minister failed to secure votes for the president despite massive loans, and in 2023 when certain leaders backed a candidate he described as a “political wanderer.”
> “In 1999, Atiku was in one party. By 2006, he switched again. In 2014, he moved. Now in 2025, he’s forming another coalition. ‘Dem born you born coalition?’” Wike said with sarcasm.
He concluded by stating that the newly commissioned road was a response to citizens’ direct input. Upon assuming office, he had held town hall-style meetings across the FCT’s six Area Councils to allow residents to determine which projects they needed most — a model he believes reflects true people-centered governance.
In summary, Wike used the platform not only to commission a road but to throw political jabs, defend the Tinubu administration’s record, and urge Nigerians to scrutinize the track records of those seeking a return to power in 2027.
