Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to a recent comment by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, over his (Atiku) failed presidential bid.
In a statement released by Paul Ibe, Atiku’s Media Adviser, on Saturday night, Atiku described Wike’s comments as “theatrical outbursts” and “baseless rants” driven by personal grievances.
Atiku’s camp believes Wike’s actions are a lingering symptom of bitterness from his defeat at the 2022 party presidential primaries.
“Mr. Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance,” the statement said.
“If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself.”
The statement reads in full:
Wike and his T-Pain Collaborators playing politics with the suffering of Nigerians
*Atiku preoccupied with genuine issues affecting Nigerians
Our attention has been drawn to the recent remarks made by Mr. Nyesom Wike, which can only be described as another of his theatrical outbursts. Ordinarily, we would not respond, but we recognize that silence might be misinterpreted.
However, we remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbours from his defeat to the Wazirin Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.
Mr. Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances. If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself. This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities.
While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians. It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people.
Mr. Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, 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.
Wike’s comments came at a luncheon in honour of loyal members of the Rivers State Assembly in Port Harcourt, where he took a dig at Atiku’s failed presidential attempts.
This was in response to Atiku’s ridicule of Wike over the recent local government elections in Rivers State, where the Action Peoples Party (APP) secured 22 out of 23 local government chairmanship posts.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, which is backed by Wike, backed out of the election.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
