Speaking at a luncheon organised in honour of the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rivers State on Saturday, October 19, 2024, Wike took a swipe at Atiku reminding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag-bearer in the 2023 election that Nigerians have rejected him.
The FCT Minister's comment followed the former Vice President's reaction to the recently conducted local government elections in Rivers State.
Inspite of the pushbacks, protests by political groups and legal manoeuvres believed to be Wike loyalists to stop the October 5 exercise, Governor Siminaliyi Fubara still ensured the election held.
Out of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State, the Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 chairmanship posts in the exercise and also cleared all the councillor seats.
This move prompted Atiku's reaction, as he said the conduct and outcome of the election is a reflection of Wike's rejection by the people of the oil-rich state.
According to the FCT Minister: “We never contested local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick form? I hear Atiku Abubakar say, ‘Oh they have rejected me in Rivers State. Okay, assuming though not conceding, he had lost so many times, Nigerians have also rejected him.
"If you say for an election we did not contest; never participated that shows Nigerians have rejected us, it is okay. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, therefore pack and go home,” Wike said.
Former Vice President Atiku has made six attempts for the presidency, with three ending up in defeats at the primaries, while other attempts ended with losses at the general elections.
Wike also revealed that Obi’s team is critical of him because he refused to support their principal.
He further reiterated that despite persistent lobbying from Obi’s camp, he stood firm in his decision not to endorse Obi’s presidential ambition.
The FCT Minister said: “Let me tell you what is going on. I have no regrets whatsoever for supporting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. None at all.
“All these things you are witnessing… There is Atiku’s group, Peter Obi’s group, and a few PDP governors who believe I am a problem for them. I will continue to be a problem for them.
“Atiku’s group believes that my team and I blocked them from winning the presidency. What we opposed was injustice. All we demanded was equity and fairness.
Obi’s group lobbied me so much. They can’t deny it. I told them, ‘This will not work. Rivers State will not follow a path that doesn’t align with us… It will not succeed.’ There is a conspiracy, and they are fighting back. But in reality, they are fighting amongst themselves," he said.
