A war of words between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is far from over as they continue to exchange words whenever the opportunity arises.
This latest development unfolded yesterday when Nyesom Wike declared that Atiku Abubakar has lost his relevance in politics.
As reported previously by Matrix, Atiku, a former Vice President, recently praised the resilient residents of Rivers State for their determination in ensuring that local government elections were conducted peacefully and with integrity.
In a message shared on his X account, he also commended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his commitment to the people’s welfare, emphasizing the importance of upholding the electoral process amid various challenges.
“At the conclusion of the local government elections in Rivers State, the threats of political intimidation and legal manipulations have diminished, allowing for genuine governance to emerge.
The people of Rivers have demonstrated their wisdom and resolve by rejecting any form of political coercion or the influence of self-serving leaders,” Atiku stated.
In a rebuttal, Wike, who previously served as governor of Rivers State, asserted that Atiku has faced rejection from Nigerians after losing presidential elections in both 2019 and 2023.
“We did not participate in the local government elections. Atiku claims to have been rejected in Rivers State.
If that’s the case, then it’s clear that Nigerians have also turned their backs on him. He should accept his losses and step away from politics,” Wike remarked.
In response, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, accused Wike of using the struggles of Nigerians for political maneuvering.
He stressed that Wike appears more focused on personal agendas rather than addressing the pressing issues facing the nation.
“Wike seems to revel in creating false narratives and engaging in public disputes. However, we will not lower ourselves to his level. We choose to maintain our integrity while he continues to engage in controversy,” the statement added.
