‘Nigerians rejected you many times’ — Wike tackles Atiku over comment on Rivers LG polls

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has berated former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on the outcome of Rivers LG elections.

Wike spoke on Saturday during a private luncheon with stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

The luncheon was hosted by Wike in honour of the members of the Rivers house of assembly.

The event was attended by loyalists of the FCT minister, including members of the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers house of assembly.

On October 5, Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted council elections in the 23 LGAs in the state.

The election was held amid a lingering feud between Wike, the immediate former governor of Rivers, and Siminalayi Fubara, his successor.

Action Peoples Party (APP) was declared the winner in 22 of the 23 LGAs, while the Action Alliance (AA) won in one local government.

The Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress did not participate in the elections.

On October 6, the former vice-president said the outcome of the Rivers LGA elections depicted the rejection of political oppression and godfatherism in the state.

Abubakar’s comment was a veiled attack on Wike, who is also not on the same page with the former vice-president.

Wike refused to support the presidential ambition of Abubakar in 2023 and instead backed Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the APC.

‘HE HAS LOST MANY TIMES’

Reacting to Abubakar’s comment, Wike said his loyalists did not contest the Rivers LGA elections, noting that it is impossible for the people to reject him.

The former Rivers governor mocked Abubakar over his failed presidential bids, saying that Nigerians have rejected the former vice-president multiple times.

“We never contested LGA elections. Did we pick form? I heard Atiku Abubakar said they have rejected me in Rivers state,” Wike said.

“Assuming but not conceding, he has lost so many times that Nigerians have also rejected him.

“If you say that an election we did not contest or participate in shows that Nigerians have rejected us, it is okay; you that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you (Atiku); therefore, pack and go home.”

The FCT minister said he has no regret supporting Tinubu for the 2023 presidential election, adding that he was fighting against injustice.

“Atiku and Peter Obi groups and some few governors of PDP believe that I’m a problem to them,” Wike said.

“I will continue to be a problem to them. Atiku’s group believes that I and my team stopped them from becoming president. We stopped injustice. All we wanted was equity and fairness.”