Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, exchanged words over the political crisis in Rivers State and the prevailing hardship in the country.
Atiku had in a recent post on his X account, commended the people of Rivers State for their steadfastness in the face of adversity and ensuring that the recent local government election was peaceful.
He also lauded the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his commitment to the interests of the people, and safeguarding the sanctity of the LG election amidst provocative challenges.
Reacting to Atiku’s statement during a luncheon in honour of the 10th Rivers State Assembly on Saturday, Wike said the former VP has been rejected by Nigerians, having contested and lost the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
He said, “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.
“If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, so pack up and go home.”
However in a swift reply, Atiku said he wouldn’t be distracted by Wike’s theatrics, whom he claimed was using the current hardship in the country to play politics at the expense of the masses.
In a statement by Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former VP said, “Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances.”