Wike's Fiery Jab: Atiku's 2027 Ambition is a 'Gamble'
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has branded Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi as 'political gamblers' for the 2027 elections, accusing them of lacking a clear vision for Nigeria's development. Speaking in Rivers State, Wike urged support for President Tinubu's re-election, while challenging former Rivers governors on their developmental records.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has openly criticized prominent opposition figures, labeling former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as 'political gamblers' in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a town hall meeting held in the Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, Wike accused these politicians of prioritizing the pursuit of political power over a genuine, well-defined vision for Nigeria’s development.
During his address, Minister Wike strongly urged the residents of Rivers State to throw their support behind President Bola Tinubu's re-election campaign. He specifically targeted Atiku Abubakar's repeated attempts at the presidency, characterizing his political ambition as a continuous 'gamble'. Wike stated, 'When somebody’s destiny is to be playing gamble, he can’t stop. So, that is why I urge him to continue to play gamble till 2031. You come out again and play gamble, kalokalo.'
Further elaborating on his critique of Atiku, Wike questioned the former Vice-President's vision for the nation, drawing a stark contrast between Atiku's political trajectory and that of former United States President Abraham Lincoln. Wike remarked, 'Abraham Lincoln was different. He had a vision for America. I think we have no vision for Nigeria,' implying a lack of clear developmental objectives. He also alleged that Atiku's motivations were driven more by personal interests rather than a comprehensive blueprint for national advancement.
The FCT Minister also extended his challenge to former governors of Rivers State, implicitly including Rotimi Amaechi, by daring them to enumerate the specific projects they initiated and completed in Abua-Odual during their respective tenures. He encouraged residents to meticulously compare their past records with the tangible achievements of his own administration as Rivers State governor from 2015 to 2023. Wike highlighted various infrastructure projects, particularly road construction, undertaken during his time, asserting that political leaders ought to be evaluated primarily on their performance and delivered results. He concluded by reiterating his call for Rivers residents to back President Tinubu’s re-election bid and to support candidates aligned with the Rainbow Coalition in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.