The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has opened up on the real reasons behind his strong opposition to the 2023 presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Wike said his decision to oppose Atiku was solely based on principle, contrary to claims that he did so because the former Vice President didn’t pick him as his running mate,
According to Wike, his stance was grounded in principle—not personal disappointment or political ambition.
Speaking candidly, Wike dismissed claims that his fallout with Atiku stemmed from not being chosen as the vice-presidential candidate. Rather, he cited a fundamental disagreement over the principle of power rotation and a deep-seated distrust in Atiku’s integrity.
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“I wanted power rotation. I could not have imagined that after eight years of Buhari, power would return to the North again,” Wike said.
“It is not about whether you chose to field me or not. It’s about principle. To take that decision was difficult, and a decision had to be taken. I looked at it—Atiku was not an option, so, he was a no-go area.”
The former Rivers State governor stressed that his decision was based on preserving the spirit of fairness and equity in Nigeria’s fragile political structure.
He maintained that after eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari, who hails from the North, it was only fair that power should shift to the South.
Wike further alleged that Atiku had a history of dishonesty and could not be trusted with critical decisions.
“Let me tell you from day one, I told my delegates when they came that one thing you must know is that Atiku does not keep to his words,” Wike revealed.
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Recounting events from 2019, Wike accused Atiku, alongside former Senate President Bukola Saraki and ex-PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, of making false promises to him during the presidential campaign.
“In 2019, Atiku, Saraki and Secondus came to see me, saying I was going to nominate the Attorney General and the Minister of Petroleum. But after we lost the election, the legal team was constituted without my knowledge. I laughed when I saw it on TV and called Saraki. I reminded him of their promises,” Wike narrated.
“I know from day one that Atiku will never keep to his words and I’ve never banked on that. I will not take his words to the bank,” he added.