Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has responded to Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, declaring that Nigerians have rejected him.
Just recently, Atiku commended the resilient people of Rivers State for their dedication in the face of adversity, ensuring peaceful local government elections.
Atiku, a former Vice President, took to his X account to praise Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s unwavering commitment to the people’s interests.
He noted, “With the conclusion of the local government election in Rivers State, the shadows of political intimidation and judicial chicanery have dissipated, paving the way for the noble pursuit of governance to commence in the state.”
Atiku added, “As prophesied, it has now been revealed that 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.”
However, reacting to Atiku’s statement during a luncheon honoring the 10th Rivers State Assembly on Saturday, Wike countered,
“We never contested the local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick forms?” He emphasized Atiku’s repeated electoral losses, stating, “You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, so pack up and go home.”
Wike further asserted, “If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. But Nigerians have also rejected you, having contested the presidential elections in 2019 and 2023 and lost.”
