Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declined to engage in a heated exchange with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following Wike’s recent critical remarks. Atiku accused Wike of prioritizing personal interests over the needs of Nigerians, describing Wike’s recent statements as political distractions.
The verbal clash began after Wike, speaking at an event in Port Harcourt, criticized Atiku, calling him a “rejected politician.” Wike’s remarks followed Atiku’s reaction to the outcome of the recent local government elections in Rivers State, where Atiku suggested that the elections demonstrated the people’s resolve against “political oppression” and “self-serving godfathers.”
Addressing Atiku’s comments, Wike said, “If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, so pack up and go home.”
In response, Atiku, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, dismissed Wike’s comments as empty and irrelevant. “Mr. Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances,” Atiku’s statement read. He questioned Wike’s focus on local affairs in Rivers State rather than his duties as an FCT Minister, suggesting that Wike is more concerned with personal issues than with the well-being of Nigerians.
Atiku criticized Wike’s apparent satisfaction with the state of affairs under the current administration, which he supports. “If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself,” Atiku said.
The former vice president emphasized his own commitment to addressing the issues that affect Nigerians, contrasting it with what he views as Wike’s self-centered approach. “While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians,” Atiku stated. “It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation.”
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Atiku also dismissed Wike’s public outbursts as a continuation of bitterness from their political rivalry, dating back to the PDP’s 2022 presidential primaries. “The recent remarks made by Wike can only be described as another of his ‘theatrical outbursts,’” Atiku said, suggesting that Wike’s criticism stemmed from lingering resentment over his loss to Atiku in the party’s primaries.
In closing, Atiku reaffirmed his intention to maintain his composure amid Wike’s provocations, stating, “Mr. Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.”
The exchange between the two political figures highlights ongoing tensions within the opposition party, the PDP, and underscores the personal and political rifts that have persisted since the 2023 presidential election. Atiku’s stance suggests that he aims to remain focused on broader national issues rather than engage in personal disputes, even as Wike continues to challenge his relevance and political standing.