Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at former vice president and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, branding him a “serial loser” in response to criticism over local government elections in Rivers State.
Atiku had earlier criticized Wike over the outcome of the local government polls in Rivers, where the Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 out of 23 chairmanship seats. Atiku suggested the results were a reflection of Wike’s rejection by the people of Rivers State.
In a sharp retort, Wike, who served as Rivers State governor before his appointment as Minister of the FCT, dismissed Atiku’s comments, noting that the PDP did not contest the election. He also took a swipe at Atiku’s electoral track record, pointing to his losses in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
“We never contested local government elections. Did we contest [Rivers LG election]? 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,” Wike said during a luncheon he hosted for the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rivers State on Saturday.
Wike continued his criticism, adding, “If you say for an election we did not contest; never participated that shows Nigerians have rejected us, it is okay. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, therefore pack and go home.”