Wike Criticizes Fubara and Atiku, Defends Support for Tinubu

The ongoing political tensions between Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have escalated. Wike firmly defended his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that he has “no regrets” backing Tinubu’s emergence as Nigeria’s president, despite opposition from his own party, the PDP.

Wike made these remarks during a luncheon in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, honoring members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly. He emphasized that his decision to support Tinubu was driven by a desire to protect the interests of Rivers State. “I have no regret at all and we have no regret at all for supporting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. I have no regret about it,” Wike stated.

He accused Atiku and his allies of targeting him because they believe he and his supporters thwarted Atiku’s chances in the presidential race. “All these things you are seeing by Atiku’s group, Peter Obi’s group, and some PDP governors that believe that I am a problem to them… I will continue to be a problem to them,” Wike asserted. He emphasized that his opposition stemmed from a demand for “equity, fairness, and justice.”

Wike also took a jab at Atiku’s repeated attempts to secure the presidency, labeling him as a candidate who has been “rejected by Nigerians” due to multiple failed bids. He responded to Atiku’s recent comments about the October 5th local government elections in Rivers State, pointing out that his faction did not participate in the elections. “We never contested the local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick forms? I hear Atiku Abubakar say, ‘Oh, they have rejected me in Rivers State.’ Okay, assuming, though not conceding, that he has lost many times, Nigerians have also rejected him,” Wike remarked. “You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, so pack up and go home.”

Atiku, in a social media statement following the local elections, had criticized what he perceived as political interference in Rivers State, describing it as “political intimidation and judicial chicanery.” He commended the people of Rivers for standing against “political oppression” and “the machinations of self-serving godfathers.”

Wike also addressed allegations of corruption that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara made against some judges. Fubara had made the claims during the opening of the 2024/2025 legal year. Wike condemned these statements, criticizing Fubara for disrespecting prominent figures such as Chief OCJ Okocha, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); King Sergeant Awuse, former chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council; and Chief Ferdinand Anabraba. Wike referred to these individuals as the “Three Wise Men,” highlighting their sacrifices in supporting Fubara’s rise to the governorship of Rivers State.

The political landscape in Rivers State continues to be defined by these tensions, with Wike maintaining a confrontational stance against those he believes oppose the interests of the state. As he put it, “Nobody can toy with the interest of Rivers State,” emphasizing his resolve to continue defending the state’s priorities.