Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has sharply criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, referring to him as a “serial election loser” after Atiku commented on the recent local government elections in Rivers State. Wike’s response came after Atiku suggested that the outcome of the elections, which saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) secure 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, reflected Wike’s rejection by the people of Rivers State.
Wike, speaking at a luncheon in honor of the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rivers State, dismissed Atiku’s claim, noting that he and his loyalists did not contest in the local elections. He used this opportunity to fire back at Atiku, pointing out that the former Vice President, who has run for the presidency six times and lost, has been consistently rejected by Nigerians. Wike urged Atiku to give up on his pursuit of the presidency, stating, “You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, therefore pack and go home.”
This exchange adds to the ongoing tensions between Wike and Atiku, particularly following the 2023 general elections, where both men were key figures in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but eventually clashed over various issues.