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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Wike slams Atiku, says 2027 presidency not available

From The Punch · (13h ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling him a "serial failure."
  • Wike challenged Abubakar to compare his past record as Vice President with the current transformation of the FCT under his leadership, dismissing Abubakar's criticisms of the Tinubu administration.
  • The minister also sarcastically encouraged Abubakar to continue contesting elections, stating that the 2027 presidential race is "not available" for him.

In a fiery exchange, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing rebuke against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dismissing his recent criticisms of the current administration as baseless. Wike, speaking during an inspection of infrastructure projects, directly challenged Abubakar to compare his eight-year tenure as Vice President with the progress witnessed in the FCT in less than three years under the current leadership.

At a certain age, one should be able to look at facts objectively. He lives in the FCT; let him compare the FCT of today to the eight years when he was Vice President. We have been in office for less than three years, yet the transformation is clear. Nigerians would laugh at anyone suggesting nothing is being done.

— Nyesom WikeMinister of the Federal Capital Territory challenging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's criticisms.

Wike questioned Abubakar's credibility, even invoking past remarks by former President Olusegun Obasanjo who had publicly described Abubakar as a failure. The minister's tone was dismissive, suggesting that Abubakar's continued relevance hinges on his electoral aspirations, which Wike believes are futile. He sarcastically urged Abubakar to run in 2027, but firmly stated that the presidency would not be within his reach.

His own boss, President Obasanjo, publicly described him as a failure and questioned his character. Why should I bother replying to someone whose own principal attached the tag of corruption to him?

— Nyesom WikeMinister of the Federal Capital Territory questioning Atiku Abubakar's credibility.

Furthermore, Wike addressed and refuted claims made by the African Democratic Congress regarding his alleged attempt to revoke a license for their planned convention. He also downplayed the potential impact of a proposed opposition coalition involving figures like Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai, questioning the strength of parties that struggle in local elections. Wike's remarks reflect a combative political stance, positioning himself as a staunch defender of the current administration and a critic of opposition figures.

I encourage him to run. It seems that is the only way he stays relevant. But 2027 is not available for him.

— Nyesom WikeMinister of the Federal Capital Territory's sarcastic remarks about Atiku Abubakar's 2027 presidential ambitions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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