Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has said there will be no chance for the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, to secure the party’s ticket in 2027.
The minister disclosed this during a live media parley in his office in Abuja on Wednesday.
Responding to a question about Atiku’s recent claim that his economic blueprint would rescue and serve Nigerians better than the current administration’s approach, Wike said that Atiku had previously presented his blueprint to Nigerians, who rejected him.
He said, “Did he not present it before Nigerians? Did Nigerians choose him? He is lobbying for another chance, but the chance will not be there. In which party? How can we rely on one man for so many years?
“Look at America. I’m sure you all did not support Trump, saying he is this, he is a racist, he is that. We cried, but Americans thought differently, made a decision for the good of their own country.
“You presented your blueprint in 2023; Nigerians heard you clearly and said thank you, but it will not work. We will not support you. Criticism does not mean the opposition is working.
“Trump was not in government, yet he got to work and told the Republicans, ‘Listen, what do we do? We have to be serious.’ You can’t sideline people and say you will fight someone just because you feel he is too influential.”
Wike also accused Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, of being treacherous by conspiring with others to keep the PDP Governors’ Forum chairmanship in the North.
He said, “We have never had it this bad in PDP, in terms of leadership, particularly from the chairman of the Governors’ Forum. It’s not about talking, but about action.
“How do you know when someone is treacherous? When Tambuwal finished as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, we had always alternated between North and South. But Bala and others conspired, went to Bauchi, and retained the chairmanship of the PDP Governors’ Forum in the North. Of course, he knows if I were governor, that wouldn’t have happened. He succeeded because of what I call infantile ambition. To be a leader, you must make sacrifices and have the capacity to galvanize people.
“As an opposition party, people will judge if you are serious about taking over power. It’s not about talking or appearing on national TV to make accusations. It’s not about insulting people.
“As the chairman of the Governors’ Forum, how has he organized his colleagues in funding the party? How has he made the party efficient through the National Working Committee? How has he ensured they are ready to take over power from the ruling party in Ondo State?
“It was Bala who said Damagun should complete Ayu’s tenure. When we went to the last NEC meeting and issues arose, it was Bala who sent people to court for an interpretation of the party’s constitution.
“When Damagun didn’t follow his demands, he started saying Damagun must go.”
Nigerian Tribune