The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the credibility of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of frequently changing his position on political matters.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday at the unveiling of candidates endorsed by the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition for the 2027 general elections at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The minister, who was a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general election, said his past political dealings with Atiku had convinced him that the former vice-president could not be relied upon to keep his word.
Atiku defeated Wike and other aspirants to emerge as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2022. He has since joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), under which he is seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at the event, Wike questioned the strength of opposition parties in Rivers State, arguing that they lacked the political presence to challenge the coalition.
He said, “Let us tell ourselves the truth. In Rivers State, is there any other party existing? I am aware that some people may have gathered themselves to make sure they organise some people to go to a nightclub.
“There’s nothing wrong with that; people inviting you to go to a nightclub. I’m aware some people may have put themselves together for the sake that; ‘Look, it will not be proper for all of us to be in one political party. Let them go and see whether they can get something from the other side.’ That does not mean that such a party exists in Rivers State.”
The minister subsequently turned his attention to Atiku’s presidential ambition under the ADC, questioning whether the former vice-president was a politician Nigerians should trust.
Wike said, “Now we are talking about ADC. Who wants to run as president under ADC? Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“Do you know him?” Wike asked, as the crowd responded, “No.” “I pray you never know him,” he advised.
Explaining his position, Wike said his experience with Atiku dated back to their participation in the PDP’s presidential primary ahead of the 2023 election.
He said, “I ran together with him in the 2022 presidential primaries. I have known him since 2019. I was one of the biggest sponsors for that presidential election. He is not a man that you can go to the bank with his words. He tells you one thing in the morning; he tells you another thing in the afternoon. He tells you something in the evening; the next morning he tells you a different thing.”
The Rainbow Coalition, led by Wike, comprises political interests from the PDP, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party and the Action Alliance, among others.
The coalition has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and is seeking to mobilise support for its preferred candidates across Rivers State.
At the event, the coalition unveiled candidates for various elective positions, including the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly.
The development comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Wike continuing to support Tinubu’s administration despite remaining a member of the PDP.
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