An aide to Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, has hit back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling him a perennial presidential hopeful for criticizing the conduct of recent local government elections in Rivers State.
The aide dismissed Atiku’s reaction as “nonsensical,” pointing to the former vice president’s inconsistent stance on significant issues. He questioned Atiku’s courage, referencing his silence over a violent incident in Sokoto — a rhetorical move aimed at undermining the moral authority of his critique.
The Rivers State poll saw a decisive outcome: 20 council chairmanship positions went to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured just three. Atiku had condemned these results as a betrayal of democratic principles and urged opposition parties to reject the outcome, framing it as unreflective of the will of Rivers people.
In response, Wike’s aide branded Atiku’s comments not just as ill-timed, but fundamentally flawed, accusing him of long-standing political grandstanding rather than genuine engagement with democratic issues.
Political observers suggest that this exchange highlights the growing rift within the PDP’s leadership, particularly in the South-South, with Wike and Atiku representing competing blocs whose disagreements are increasingly shaping national discourse.
With local elections continuing to fuel political tension, this clash underscores the intricate balance of power, loyalty, and ambition among Nigeria’s political elite.
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