Atiku Fires Back: “Wike Is Playing Politics With Nigerians’ Hardships”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to the recent comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stating that he would not be distracted by what he described as Wike’s “theatrics.” Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, said that Wike was using the current hardship facing Nigerians to play politics, “at the expense of the masses.” Atiku’s statement, issued in Abuja by his Media Adviser Paul Ibe, was titled, ‘Wike and His T-Pain Collaborators Playing Politics with the Suffering of Nigerians.’

The comments came in response to Wike’s remarks during a luncheon in honor of the 10th Rivers State Assembly on Saturday. Wike had claimed that Atiku had lost his relevance in Nigerian politics after failing in two consecutive presidential elections. “If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you,” Wike had said, emphasizing Atiku’s multiple defeats.

Reacting to Wike’s criticisms, Atiku dismissed them as distractions, stating he was focused on the real issues affecting Nigerians. “While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians,” Atiku said. He also expressed disappointment with Wike for seemingly prioritizing self-interest over the pressing concerns of the nation, claiming, “Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation.”

Atiku’s statement highlighted his commitment to the well-being of Nigerians, contrasting his approach with Wike’s political theatrics. “Our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people,” he added. He criticized Wike for using “fantasies” to distract from more important matters, accusing him of indulging in “his imagination” and paying for live TV coverage to “launch tirades against whomever he pleases.”

Atiku also addressed Wike’s attempt to provoke him by making personal attacks, stating, “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.” The former vice president’s remarks suggest a clear refusal to engage in petty political squabbles, signaling his intention to focus on more substantive issues that matter to the Nigerian people.