Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has lambasted the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his latest claim that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election is a rejected politician.
The minister made the remark on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, accusing Atiku of mocking him over the loss of the recent local government councils in Rivers to the Action Peoples Party (APP).
The minister had stated, “We never contested local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick form?
“I hear Atiku Abubakar say, ‘Oh, they have rejected me in Rivers State. Okay, assuming, though not conceding, he had lost so many times, Nigerians have also rejected him.”
But in a swift response by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former vice president described the minister’s remarks as another of his theatrical outbursts.
He pointed out that Nigerians are well acquainted with the minister’s antics but noted that not responding to him could be subjected to different interpretations.
He alleged that the former Rivers governor’s statements were driven by personal grievances.
The statement reads: “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 recognise 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 Atiku 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.”
Nigerian Tribune