Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President has said he won’t rubbish his dignity by fighting ‘in the mud’ with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Atiku and Wike have been at loggerheads since the former lost the presidential ticket of the People Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 election.
Atiku has also taken sides with the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara in his ongoing political battle with Wike, his predecessor for the control of the party structure in the state especially the concluded Rivers local government election which Fubara’s loyalists won.
Throwing his weight behind the election, Atiku has commended Governor Fubara for conducting the election in spite of Wike’s attempts to stop it.
“The citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers,” Atiku had said concerning the election.
Wike had in Port Harcourt referred to Atiku as a “rejected politician,’ while reacting to his support for Fubara.
“If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, so pack up and go home,” Wike reacted.
However, Atiku through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku described Wike’s remarks “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,” Atiku said.