Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to retire from politics, stating that Nigerians have consistently rejected him. Wike’s remarks were in response to Atiku’s praise of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his dedication to the people.
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, had recently commended Governor Fubara, noting that with the conclusion of the local government elections in Rivers State, political intimidation and judicial manipulation had come to an end. He said that the state could now focus on governance. Atiku added that the people of Rivers State, from Port Harcourt to Onne, had spoken in support of democracy and rejected any form of political oppression or interference by powerful figures.
In response, Wike, speaking during a luncheon in honor of the 10th Rivers State Assembly on Saturday, dismissed Atiku’s relevance in Nigerian politics. He argued that Atiku has been repeatedly rejected by the electorate, having contested and lost presidential elections “many times.”
“We didn’t contest the local government elections. Did we? Did we even pick nomination forms?” Wike asked. “I hear Atiku Abubakar saying, ‘Oh, they have rejected me in Rivers State.’ Well, assuming that’s true, Nigerians have rejected you too, so it’s time to pack up and go home.”
Wike and Atiku both sought the PDP’s presidential ticket for the 2023 election. However, their relationship soured when Atiku won the party’s nomination and chose former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, sidelining Wike. All attempts to reconcile the two failed, and Wike eventually supported President Bola Tinubu, Atiku’s main rival in the election.
Following Tinubu’s victory, Wike was appointed as a minister, a move seen by many as a reward for his support.
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