The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his approach to political competition, insisting that it is not his responsibility to help strengthen his political rivals.
Reacting to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent “all is fair” remark on politics, Wike said political contests are about winning power, not assisting opponents to overcome their weaknesses.
“It is not my duty to strengthen my political opponents. We are struggling for power, and I see my opponent has some weaknesses or loopholes. It’s not for me to help them to be strong. If I have anything to make them weaker, yes!” Wike said.
The minister maintained that politics is inherently competitive, arguing that no serious political actor would deliberately empower an opponent in the midst of a contest for power. According to him, identifying and exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses is a legitimate part of political strategy.
His comments come amid heightened political activities and align with President Tinubu’s assertion that politics is a game of strategy in which participants pursue every lawful advantage available to secure victory.
Wike’s remarks are expected to fuel further debate over the nature of political competition in Nigeria as parties and key actors intensify preparations ahead of future electoral contests.
