The longstanding political rivalry between former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike reignited on Saturday.
Wike directed sharp criticisms at Atiku, responding to his recent remarks regarding Wike’s perceived rejection by the Rivers electorate following local government election results.
Atiku had claimed on social media that Rivers residents had turned against Wike, who in turn fired back during a luncheon he hosted for the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rivers State.
“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 stated.
He continued, emphasizing that Atiku’s failures in multiple electoral attempts reflect a broader disapproval from the Nigerian populace.
“If you say for an election we did not contest, and that shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You who contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, so pack up and go home,”
he asserted.
Wike’s comments come as Atiku has made six bids for the presidency, with three resulting in defeats during the primaries and others ending in losses at the general elections. The exchange marks a significant escalation in their ongoing rivalry, highlighting the tensions within the PDP as the party navigates its internal conflicts.
