2027: Wike slams Atiku, describes ex-VP as 'serial election loser'
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a “serial failure” in elections, asserting that he would continue to contest
- …Atiku will never be president - Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a “serial failure” in elections, asserting that he would continue to contest and still not become president, even in 2031.
Wike made the remarks in response to Atiku’s claim that the current administration has not delivered meaningful progress for Nigerians, accusing the former Vice President of being out of touch with present governance realities.
Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Abuja, Wike said Nigerians would disregard such criticisms, insisting that visible infrastructure developments across the FCT contradict Atiku’s position.
He further dismissed the comments as the reaction of a politician unwilling to accept his electoral defeats, describing them as a desperate attempt to remain politically relevant.
“Atiku is a serial failure, what do you expect? That's why we say that there is a certain age you will reach in life, you will be able to say, look, at my level, this government has done well in this area. Nigerians would be laughing at such a person making that kind of statement that nothing has been done.
“Let's take for example FCT, I am sure he lives in FCT very well. Let him compare FCT now and when he was the Vice President, let's start from there. Let's compare when he was Vice President for eight years and now, that we are just in government for almost three years. Can he compare what FCT is today and what it was when he was Vice President? Atiku is a serial contestant and loser and I am sure that in 2031, he will still contest”, he said.
According to him, "His own boss, President Obasanjo, publicly described him as a failure and questioned his character. Why should I bother replying to someone whose own principal attached the tag of corruption to him?"
The minister added with a touch of sarcasm that he would "encourage" Atiku to run again in 2027 and 2031, despite the former VP being 82 by then.
"I encourage him to run; it seems that is the only way he stays relevant. But 2027 is not available for him", he stated.
The minister further downplayed the threat of a "mega-opposition" involving figures like Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Nasir El-Rufai. Using his home state of Rivers as an example, he mocked the idea of the ADC or other parties dislodging the current power structure.
He added, "They say El-Rufai and Obi are there, so it is a strong opposition. Watch and see; the PDP will still be stronger than the ADC.
"In the last FCT elections, the ADC couldn't even win a single councillorship. How do they intend to win the country?"
Wike advised opposition parties to focus on "dressing their own beds" rather than making "noise" on television.
He said, “Take for Rivers State. Can they put a bet and say that Rotimi Amaechi will deliver Rivers State to ADC? So, we don't just look at it and say, oh, look at the names; El Rufai is there, Obi is there, therefore, they will constitute a strong opposition. Watch out what will happen, PDP will be stronger than ADC. It's not about noise making. Look at what happened in the FCT election. What happened? They couldn't get one councillor. One councilor they couldn't get, and then you are talking about the entire country. So, I wish them good luck.
“ADC should stop calling other people names. Oh, these are people worrying us. No, that's not correct. So, be assured that there's no way ADC will win. There's no way. Take, for example, Benue. Where the former senate president is the so-called chairman of the party. The daughter won under APC while he was in PDP. In Benue, what was the result in 2023? Will you now say that the former senate President would deliver Benue to ADC. I'm just giving you instances.
"As you make your bed, you must lie on it. They didn't dress in their bed, and now they want to blame the Minister for their discomfort," the Minister stated.
Addressing allegations from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that he attempted to revoke the license of the Rainbow Event Center in Garki to frustrate their national convention, Wike dismissed the claims as "unfortunate lies" designed to gain public sympathy.
He said, "I don’t even know where the Rainbow Event Center is. I have instructed my Chief of Staff to find out who is making these claims. If no interference occurred—and I can tell you it didn't—appropriate sanctions will be pursued for those spreading falsehoods."
Wike questioned the timeline provided by the party, noting that a request allegedly submitted on April 7th for a convention on the 14th without follow-up until the eve of the event suggests a premeditated attempt to frame the FCT administration.
He maintained that the administration would not be distracted by political attacks, stressing that governance must continue regardless of the election season.
“The election will come, but people must work. Contractors are not part of the election,” he declared.
Amid the political fireworks, Wike assured residents that key road projects linking satellite towns would be delivered on schedule, boosting connectivity and easing pressure on the city centre.
He revealed that the Airport–Kuje road project is nearing completion, with one part of the bridge set to be opened for use next week.
“From Airport Junction to Kuje, one part of the bridge is almost completed. Before the end of May, the entire job will be handed over,” he said.
On the Kuje–Gwagwalada road, the minister said the first phase of the dualisation project, spanning about seven kilometres, would also be completed before the end of May.
“I am happy with the progress, we are satisfied with the quality of jobs being delivered,” he added.
Wike noted that the ongoing projects would transform Kuje into a major hub, attracting residents and investors, and reducing congestion in Abuja city.
“Very soon, Kuje will no longer be a satellite town. People will move there, build houses, and the pressure on the city will reduce,” he said.
The inspection tour is part of efforts by the FCT Administration to ensure contractors meet deadlines and deliver quality infrastructure across the territory.
