A former Vice President of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has accused former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his associates of prioritizing personal interests over the pressing challenges faced by Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Paul Ibe, Atiku’s Media Adviser, the former Vice President criticized Wike’s recent comments, which labeled him as a politician rejected by the populace following his multiple presidential election defeats. Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, made the remarks during an event in Rivers State, urging Atiku to “pack and go home.”
Atiku’s response characterized Wike’s statements as “a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances.” He expressed that Wike’s focus on local issues in Rivers rather than fulfilling his ministerial responsibilities illustrates a troubling self-absorption.
“Ordinarily, we would not respond to such theatrical outbursts, but we recognize that silence might be misinterpreted,” the statement read. “We remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbors from his defeat to the Wazirin Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.”
Atiku emphasized that while Wike may attempt to divert attention from significant national issues with his remarks, he and his team are committed to addressing the welfare and progress of the Nigerian people. He asserted, “Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation.”
In closing, Atiku reiterated his dedication to the genuine concerns affecting Nigerians, stating, “We shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.”
