Former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Wike claimed that Atiku would sell off the country if given the opportunity to lead.
According to a report by LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Wike alleged that Atiku's main goal in seeking the presidency is to recover the huge financial resources he has poured into his political campaigns over the years.
The minister suggested that Atiku’s long pursuit of the nation's highest office is driven by financial recovery rather than national service. He insisted that the former vice president would dispose of critical public assets to make back his money.
Both politicians have maintained a fierce rivalry within Nigeria's political landscape. Their relationship broke down publicly ahead of the 2023 presidential election after Atiku picked former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate on the Peoples Democratic Party ticket, overlooking Wike.
Following that dispute, Wike led an aggrieved faction of governors, known as the G5, who worked against Atiku during the 2023 general polls. Wike subsequently accepted a ministerial appointment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration while still maintaining his membership in the opposition party.
Atiku, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, has contested the presidency several times. His camp is yet to officially issue a statement addressing Wike's latest comments.
