Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, has launched a stinging attack on former vice president Atiku Abubakar, branding him a “serial loser” in Nigerian politics.
The verbal clash between the two prominent figures came after Atiku criticized the outcome of the recent local government elections in Rivers State. Wike, in response, pointed to Atiku’s repeated failures in presidential elections as proof that Nigerians have consistently rejected him.
Wike’s remarks were made during a luncheon held in Port Harcourt on Saturday, in honour of the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rivers State.
The tension between Wike and Atiku began following the conclusion of the Rivers State local government elections. In those elections, the Action Peoples Party (APP), an opposition party, claimed victory in 22 of the 23 local government chairmanship positions.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in both the 2019 and 2023 elections, used the results to suggest that the people of Rivers State had rejected Wike. He hinted that the local government election results were a reflection of Wike’s declining political influence.
In response, Wike dismissed Atiku’s remarks, asserting that he and his political group had not even participated in the local government elections. “We never contested local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick forms?” Wike asked, mocking Atiku’s interpretation of the election results.
Wike didn’t stop at rejecting Atiku’s claim about the Rivers local government polls. He seized the opportunity to attack Atiku’s broader political track record, particularly his consecutive losses in the presidential elections.
Wike made it clear that if anyone had been rejected by Nigerians, it was Atiku. He reminded the public that Atiku had lost in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections and had failed to gain the trust of Nigerians.
“If you say that for an election we did not contest, we have been rejected, it is okay. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you. Therefore, pack and go home,” Wike said sharply.
Wike’s comments sparked laughter and applause from the audience at the luncheon, which was attended by lawmakers and political leaders in Rivers State.
The back-and-forth between Wike and Atiku is just the latest in a long-standing rivalry between the two heavyweights of the PDP. Wike, who has served as a powerful figure in the PDP, was one of the major voices against Atiku’s candidacy in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election.
During the PDP primaries, Wike sought the presidential ticket of the party but lost to Atiku, leading to growing tensions between the two. Wike subsequently became one of the vocal critics of the PDP’s approach to leadership, accusing the party of not following principles of fairness and equity.
In the aftermath of Atiku’s loss in the 2023 elections to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the friction between Atiku and Wike has only deepened.
Wike’s appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led administration surprised many, as Wike had been a PDP stalwart for years. However, the former Rivers State governor has been clear that he supports the development of Nigeria above party politics.
Wike’s defection to Tinubu’s government came after years of tension within the PDP. His decision to align with the APC sparked debates across the political landscape. Some viewed it as a betrayal of the PDP, while others saw it as a pragmatic move aimed at ensuring his political relevance.
Regardless of the opinions surrounding his decision, Wike remains a vocal and influential figure in Nigerian politics. His leadership in Rivers State has been praised for infrastructure development, but his critics often accuse him of being autocratic.
Atiku Abubakar, on the other hand, remains one of Nigeria’s most seasoned politicians. He served as vice president under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 and has contested in multiple presidential elections since leaving office.
Despite his experience and prominence, Atiku has struggled to secure a victory in the presidential race. His loss in 2023 to Bola Tinubu marked his second consecutive defeat in what has been a lengthy career of seeking the highest office in the land.
Many political analysts attribute Atiku’s inability to win to a combination of factors, including regional politics, public perception, and the internal dynamics of the PDP. His rivalry with Wike has further complicated his political ambitions, as Wike commands significant influence in southern Nigeria, particularly in Rivers State.
Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s wealthiest states due to its oil resources, has long been a political stronghold for Wike. During his tenure as governor, he was known for his aggressive political style and his efforts to modernize the state’s infrastructure. His leadership extended beyond Rivers State, as he became a kingmaker within the PDP, capable of influencing major decisions within the party. However, his frequent clashes with the PDP’s leadership, particularly over the 2023 presidential primaries, alienated him from key figures like Atiku
