The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over comments that the opposition candidate would fail to secure up to 10 per cent of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku said Rivers voters are not the personal property of any politician and are capable of making independent decisions based on their assessment of candidates and national issues.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in the long-running political rivalry between the former Vice President and Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, whose relationship deteriorated after disagreements within the opposition camp ahead of the 2023 general election.
The controversy began after Wike reportedly declared that Atiku and the ADC would not secure up to 10 per cent of the votes cast in Rivers State during the next presidential election.
The minister made the remark on Saturday during a luncheon organised in honour of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition for the 2027 elections in Rivers State.
According to Wike, no candidate outside the political structure supported by his coalition would win the governorship election in the state.
The former Rivers governor also reportedly expressed confidence that the political alliance he leads would remain dominant in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Atiku dismissed the claims, insisting that the people of Rivers State are politically aware and capable of deciding their own future.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President criticised Wike’s comments and accused him of attempting to portray Rivers voters as people whose votes could be controlled by one individual.
Shaibu said Atiku believes that democracy gives citizens the right to choose their leaders freely and that no politician, regardless of influence or position, can determine how an entire state will vote.
According to the statement, the comments attributed to Wike reflect growing anxiety within the ruling camp over the emergence of a strong opposition coalition under the ADC platform.
The Atiku camp argued that recent political developments have altered the country’s political landscape and increased competition ahead of the next election cycle.
“It is both amusing and disturbing that Wike now speaks as though Rivers voters are his personal property to be allocated at will,” the statement said.
“Rivers votes are not your property. The people of Rivers State are not political slaves. They are intelligent, independent-minded Nigerians who will make their choices based on the realities confronting them and the future they desire for their children.”
The statement further stressed that democratic elections are determined by voters and not by political declarations made by influential office holders.
“No individual, regardless of influence or access to federal power, can dictate how an entire state will vote,” Atiku’s spokesman stated.
The former Vice President’s camp also argued that many Nigerians are more concerned about issues affecting their daily lives than political predictions ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the statement, the country is currently facing economic and security challenges that deserve greater attention from political leaders.
The ADC candidate’s team cited rising living costs, insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship as some of the issues dominating public discussions across the country.
It accused Wike of focusing excessively on political calculations while many Nigerians continue to struggle with the realities of everyday life.
The latest war of words comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gradually gather momentum across the country.
Although the election is still months away, major political figures and parties have begun positioning themselves, building alliances and testing their strength in different parts of the federation.
Rivers State is expected to remain one of the most politically significant states in the country because of its large voting population and strategic importance in the South-South region.
Over the years, the state has played a major role in national elections and has often been a battleground for influential political figures.
Wike remains one of the most prominent politicians from the state and continues to wield considerable influence in Rivers politics.
After serving two terms as governor, he was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and has remained an active player in national politics.
Atiku, on the other hand, remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable opposition figures, having contested for the presidency multiple times under different political platforms.
The former Vice President has consistently advocated for economic reforms, restructuring and stronger democratic institutions as part of his political agenda.
Several opposition politicians have been exploring coalition arrangements aimed at presenting a united front against the ruling establishment, while influential figures within and outside government continue to strengthen their political structures.
The state has historically produced high voter turnout and remains one of the most closely watched political territories in Nigeria.
Beyond the personal exchanges between political leaders, many citizens are expected to focus on issues such as economic recovery, inflation, job creation, infrastructure development and security when making electoral decisions.
Public opinion surveys and political analysts have repeatedly noted that economic hardship and insecurity remain among the biggest concerns of voters across the country.
As political campaigns gradually begin to take shape, parties and candidates are expected to intensify efforts to win support through policy proposals, grassroots mobilisation and strategic alliances.
For now, the exchange between Atiku and Wike has added another layer to the growing political contest ahead of 2027, highlighting the importance of Rivers State in the calculations of both the ruling camp and opposition forces.
While both sides remain confident about their chances, the final decision will ultimately rest with voters, who will determine the outcome when Nigerians return to the polls in the next general election.