Wike Fires Back at Atiku: Nigerians Have Rejected You

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT and former Governor of Rivers State, recently responded to criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku had mocked Wike after the Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 out of 23 local government chairmanship positions in Rivers, suggesting it indicated a rejection of Wike by the electorate.

In reply, Wike labeled Atiku a “serial loser,” emphasizing that while he did not run in the local government elections, Atiku has lost multiple presidential bids in 2019 and 2023, showcasing his failure to connect with Nigerian voters.

During a luncheon for Rivers State Assembly members aligned with him, Wike stated, “If you claim we’ve been rejected for not contesting a local government election, Atiku, you who have contested and failed miserably, have also been rejected by Nigerians.”

He further highlighted Atiku’s frequent electoral losses and suggested that it was time for him to “pack and go home.”

The feud between Wike and Atiku began when Wike was overlooked for the PDP presidential ticket in favor of Atiku, leading to Wike’s support for rival candidates and ultimately contributing to the PDP’s loss in Rivers during the recent presidential election.

Atiku’s continued critiques of Wike follow this ongoing tension, especially as Wike now serves under President Tinubu of the APC.