The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not working to establish a one-party state by undermining opposition parties, according to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. He made the claim during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, rejecting allegations that the federal government is targeting opposition groups. Wike urged the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to focus on strengthening its structures at the state and local levels instead of making accusations. He described such claims as distractions from internal party challenges.
Wike maintained that political survival depends on grassroots engagement, not conspiracy theories. He emphasized that parties must build strong sub-national networks to remain relevant. The Minister pointed out that public trust is earned through performance, not enforced through federal action. His comments come amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups.
Nyesom Wike's dismissal of the one-party state narrative rings hollow given the federal government's pattern of targeting opposition figures through tax audits and legal actions. If the APC truly isn't weaponizing state institutions, it should welcome independent scrutiny of agencies like the EFCC and FIRS. For Nigerians, the consolidation of power under one party risks normalizing silence where dissent should thrive. Wike's advice to the PDP sounds less like counsel and more like a victory lap.
