The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the only opposition party effectively challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria.
Wike made the statement on Monday in Abuja while speaking during a project commissioning event held shortly after Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State and bye-elections conducted in parts of the country.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the event, the minister congratulated the APC on its electoral victories and also congratulated the PDP for sustaining what he described as its role as the country’s leading opposition party.
According to Wike, opposition politics should not be measured by rhetoric alone but by the ability to present meaningful political competition to the ruling party.
He stated that the PDP continues to occupy that position nationally.
“Let me use this opportunity, Mr President, to congratulate your party (APC) for winning Saturday’s by-election and also congratulate my party (PDP) for maintaining the opposition.
“In every political setting, there must be winners, and there must be opposition. Today we have seen the ruling party and the opposition party.
“Opposition party is not by talking, it’s about challenging the ruling party, and we are the only party that is challenging the ruling party, so we are the leading opposition party,” Wike said.
His remarks come amid continued political realignments and growing conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major parties positioning themselves for future contests.
The FCT Minister’s comments further reflect ongoing debates over the strength, direction and influence of opposition politics in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
