By John Umeh
In a heated political exchange that has captured national attention, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lambasted former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, over what he described as a “disappointing and unimpressive” performance during his time in office.
The outburst came amid rising tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the operations and control of the recently floated All Progressives Congress Democratic Congress (ADC), a political movement reportedly being championed by Aregbesola and his loyalists. Wike, never one to shy away from controversy, called out Aregbesola’s tenure as Interior Minister, stating bluntly that he “left the ministry worse than he met it.”
“You talk about leadership and political structure, but you failed as Interior Minister. There was nothing to show for your time in office—no reforms, no visible results, and insecurity even worsened in key areas under your watch,” Wike charged during a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday.
Wike accused Aregbesola of engaging in political hypocrisy by launching a splinter group under the guise of reform while failing to take responsibility for his own shortcomings in governance. He also suggested that the former Osun State governor should “take a back seat” and reflect on his legacy rather than fueling intra-party divisions.
“When you hold office and achieve nothing, you should exit quietly—not come back pretending to be a reformer,” Wike added, drawing loud reactions from political observers and social media users alike.
The attack is seen as part of the growing rivalry and ideological split within the APC, particularly between factions loyal to President Bola Tinubu, of whom both Wike and Aregbesola have been longtime allies. However, their political paths have diverged significantly in recent years, with Wike emerging as a strong voice within Tinubu’s current federal cabinet, while Aregbesola appears to be mounting a fresh grassroots push.
In response, allies of Aregbesola have dismissed Wike’s comments as “unnecessary and diversionary,” accusing the FCT Minister of abandoning critical infrastructure issues in Abuja in favor of political mudslinging.
Political analysts say the latest outburst further highlights the internal wrangling threatening the unity of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. The exchange also suggests that old wounds from previous political battles in Osun and the national party structure remain unhealed.
As the power struggle intensifies, it remains to be seen whether the party leadership will intervene or allow the war of words to continue unbridled. What’s clear, however, is that Wike’s scathing critique of Aregbesola has once again reminded Nigerians of the deep and often personal rivalries that shape the country’s political landscape.
