Wike vows to remain a problem for Atiku, Peter Obi and PDP governors

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has vowed to continue to be a problem for the Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Wike insisted that he has no regret supporting the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, in the last general election, which, according to him, stopped the candidate of his party, Atiku Abubakar, from becoming president.

Wike said this while speaking on Saturday at a luncheon he organised for the members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to him in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,

“We have no regret at all for supporting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. I’ve no regret about it. All these things you’re seeing involve Atiku’s group, Peter Obi’s group, and a few governors from the PDP who believe I’m a problem for them, and I will continue to be a problem for them.

“Atiku group said that I and my team stopped them from becoming president. We stopped injustice. What we stopped was injustice. What we wanted was equity and fairness. And we told PDP, if you don’t allow this, you’ll pay.

“If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you; so, pack up and go home.”

Wike said: “All these things you are seeing by Atiku’s group, Peter Obi’s group, and some PDP governors that believe that I am a problem to them. And I will continue to be a problem to them.

“In fact, the Atiku’s group believes that my team and I stopped them from becoming president. We stopped injustice. What we wanted was equity, fairness, and justice,” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor also declared that he has no regret in supporting and ensuring the emergence of Tinubu as president.

“In fact, most of you do not understand the fight that is going on. Do you think it is these people here? No.

“Let me tell you what is going on; I have no regret at all, and we have no regret at all for supporting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. I have no regret about it.”

He also tackled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for allegedly casting aspersions on the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. OCJ Okocha (SAN).

The FCT minister expressed disappointment that Fubara, who was also recognised as his godson before they fell out over political disagreement, insulted the former Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, Sergeant Awuse, and Chief Ferdinand Anabraba.

Describing Awuse, Anabraba, and Okocha as “three wise men,” Wike stated that the men sacrificed to ensure that Fubara was chosen and made governor of Rivers State.

The FCT minister noted that last Thursday, one of the “wise men”, Okocha, was insulted by the governor in the state.

He said: “On Thursday, another “wise man” (referring to OCJ Okocha), was insulted. When the ‘wise man’ was called to the Bar, this man (Fubara) was not in primary school. This man (Fubara) insulted a PhD holder.

“I am happy, I am not the only one this man (Fubara) has shown ingratitude. He has shown ingratitude to the ‘wise men,” Wike said.

He added: “One of the ‘wise men’ (Awuse) was removed as the Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council when he was in a coma; when he was looking for support for help.”

The minister recalled that some time ago, Fubara, on national television, had described the three aforementioned people as wise men, who stood for his emergence as governor of the state.

“The wise men are now turned upside down. Yes, he also turned them upside down. It is unfortunate in life. If you are a bad man, you are a bad man,” Wike added.

I won’t descend into gutters with you — Atiku fires back at Wike

Atiku reacting through his spokesman, Paul Ibe, said he won’t “descend into the gutters” to exchange words with Wike.

He added that Wike and his collaborators are playing politics with the sufferings of Nigerians.

A statement signed by Ibe reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the recent remarks made by Mr. Nyesom Wike, which can only be described as another of his theatrical outbursts. Ordinarily, we would not respond, but we recognize that silence might be misinterpreted.

“However, we remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbours from his defeat to the Wazirin Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.

“Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances. If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself. This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities.

“While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians. It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people.

“Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.

No Comment – Obi

Obi’s spokesman, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, however, said Obi and his media team will not dignify Wike with a response.