Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, traded tackles on the political crisis in Rivers State.
They also contended against each other on the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
Atiku had in a recent post on his X account, commended the people of Rivers State for their steadfastness in the face of adversity, and for ensuring that the recent local government election was peaceful.
He also hailed the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his commitment to the interests of the people and for safeguarding the sanctity of the LG election amid provocative challenges.
Reacting to Atiku’s statement during a luncheon in honour of the 10th Rivers State Assembly on Saturday, Wike said the former VP had been rejected by Nigerians, having contested and lost the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
He said, “We never contested the local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick forms? I hear Atiku Abubakar say, ‘Oh, they have rejected me in Rivers State.’ Okay, assuming, though not conceding, that he has lost many times, Nigerians have also rejected him.
“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.”
However, in a swift riposte, Atiku said he wouldn’t be distracted by Wike’s theatrics.
He accused Wike of using the current hardship in the country to play politics at the expense of the masses.
In a statement by Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former VP said, “Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances.”
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