Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing critique of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over the welfare of Nigerians. This response follows Wike's recent remarks in Port Harcourt, where he labeled Atiku a "rejected politician."
Wike's comments came after Atiku reacted to the recent local government elections in Rivers State, asserting that the outcomes demonstrated the citizens' steadfast rejection of political oppression and self-serving leaders. In response, Wike dismissed Atiku's statement, saying, “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 a sharp rebuttal through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku referred to Wike's remarks as "a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances." He further stated, “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, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate in the last election, accused Wike of being more focused on his personal interests than on his ministerial duties. “This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities,” he remarked.
He emphasized that while Wike seeks to divert attention with what he termed "baseless rants," his own focus remains on the pressing issues affecting Nigerians. "It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centered on the welfare and progress of the people."
Atiku also criticized Wike for engaging in media spectacles, 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.”