The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments on the 2027 general elections. Wike had claimed that Atiku and the ADC would not secure up to 10 percent of votes in Rivers State during the next presidential election.
The controversy follows a political gathering in Rivers State where Wike spoke confidently about the strength of his political structure ahead of 2027.
At the event, a luncheon organised in honour of candidates under the Rainbow Coalition, the former Rivers State governor also insisted that his coalition would dominate the governorship race in the state.
He stated that no other political party would be able to win the governorship election except the candidate backed by his Rainbow coalition. His remarks were widely interpreted as a show of political control over the state’s electoral direction.
Reacting through a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed Wike’s comments as unrealistic and disrespectful to the people of Rivers State.
He argued that voters in the state are politically aware and cannot be reduced to objects of control by any individual, no matter their position or influence. Atiku also suggested that such statements reflect growing anxiety within the political camp aligned with President Bola Tinubu, as opposition coalitions continue to gain attention ahead of 2027.
He further described it as troubling that Wike appeared to speak as though Rivers voters belonged to him and could be allocated politically at will.
“Rivers vote are not your property. The people of Rivers State are not political slaves. They are intelligent, independent-minded Nigerians who will make their choices based on the realities confronting them and the future they desire for their children.
“No individual, regardless of influence or access to federal power, can dictate how an entire state will vote,” the statement read.
