In The Wike vs Atiku clash; Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, has hit back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling him a “serial loser” in response to comments about his influence in the recently concluded Rivers local government elections.
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, had criticized Wike after the Action Peoples Party (APP) secured 22 out of 23 local government chairmanship seats in PDP-dominated Rivers State. Atiku argued that the election results signaled Wike’s rejection by the people of the state.
Wike, speaking at a luncheon held in Port Harcourt to honor loyal members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, dismissed the claims, stating that the elections were not a contest for him or his camp. “We never contested local government elections. Did we pick forms? No. I hear Atiku Abubakar saying they’ve rejected me in Rivers State. But you, after contesting the presidential election multiple times and losing, have been rejected by Nigerians,” Wike said.
The former governor added, “If not contesting a local election means rejection, what do we call someone who lost the presidential race back-to-back? Nigerians have clearly rejected you. So, pack your bags and go home.”
PDP Power Struggle and Wike’s Defection to APC
The friction between Wike and Atiku has been building since the PDP primaries for the 2023 presidential election. Atiku, from northern Nigeria, defeated Wike and other southern aspirants to secure the party’s ticket, leading to dissatisfaction among southern stakeholders, including Wike, who argued that the presidency should have rotated to the south.
This disagreement birthed the “G-5” faction, made up of five then-serving PDP governors, who actively worked against Atiku during the general election. Their efforts contributed to the PDP’s loss in Rivers State, traditionally a PDP stronghold, with the APC’s Bola Tinubu emerging victorious in the presidential race.
Following Tinubu’s win, Wike was appointed as Minister of the FCT, sparking controversy and calls within the PDP for his suspension. However, Wike has consistently maintained that his actions were guided by a commitment to fairness, justice, and ensuring power returns to southern Nigeria.
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