Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr.Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to account for his eight years in office, insisting that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assessment of his former deputy should be considered as Nigerians weigh his 2027 presidential ambition.
Wike also said the entry of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had complicated the party’s presidential ticket, questioning the ability of the opposition platform to offer Nigerians a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu.
The minister spoke on Thursday during a Rainbow Coalition meeting in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he urged Nigerians to judge presidential aspirants by their records in public office rather than campaign promises.
Taking a swipe at Atiku’s tenure as vice-president between 1999 and 2007, Wike said the former vice-president wielded considerable influence in the Obasanjo administration, particularly in the privatisation of government-owned enterprises.
“Atiku was vice-president from 1999 to 2007. How many years? He was not just a vice-president, but a very powerful vice-president. He was in charge of privatisation and everything concerning companies and industries owned by the government,” Wike said.
He challenged Atiku’s supporters to identify the impact of his years in government, questioning what the former vice-president had achieved to justify his repeated attempts to become president.
“Can anybody tell me, do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No!” he asked.
Wike further drew attention to Obasanjo’s past criticism of Atiku, including the former president’s reported expression of regret over supporting his former deputy’s emergence as vice-president.
He argued that Obasanjo’s assessment of their political relationship should form part of the public debate over Atiku’s presidential ambition.
The FCT minister, who disclosed that he had contested a presidential primary against Atiku, maintained that Nigerians must examine the records of those seeking the country’s highest political office before deciding whom to support in 2027.
Wike also turned his attention to Amaechi’s tenure as Rivers governor between 2007 and 2015, questioning the financial transactions and projects undertaken during the period.
He cited alleged expenditures of $10 million on a mosquito-control programme, $39 million on a proposed specialist hospital and N68 billion on a monorail project, demanding explanations about the outcomes of the initiatives.
The minister also questioned the whereabouts of proceeds from the reported sale of a gas turbine for $308 million in December 2014.
“Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the N68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?” he asked.
The allegations were made by Wike at the political meeting and were not independently verified in the account of his remarks. Amaechi’s response was not provided.
Wike’s criticism formed part of his broader argument that political leaders must be held accountable for their records in office, particularly when seeking higher responsibilities.
He questioned whether the ADC could convincingly position itself as an alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections, given the political records of key figures associated with the party.
Earlier, the Zonal Director of the Post Primary Schools Board, Chimereze Nworgo, said the people of Ogbia Local Government Area had not forgotten the security and infrastructure interventions associated with Wike’s tenure as Rivers governor.
Nworgo listed the construction of the Ogbia-Nembe Road, improved connectivity, the establishment of a model secondary school and recognition of traditional institutions among the interventions appreciated by the community.
He also commended Wike for supporting the political representation of Ogbia indigenes at the national level, including Ambassador Desmond Eji Akawu.
While reaffirming the community’s support for Wike, Nworgo appealed for more development projects, including road construction and rehabilitation, a general hospital, renovation of dilapidated schools, youth employment and empowerment programmes, and additional political appointments for Ogbia indigenes at state and federal levels.
He stressed that the community’s endorsement did not mean all its development needs had been met, but reflected its willingness to continue engaging Wike in pursuit of its aspirations.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Okechukwu Akara Nwaogu, presented a gift to Wike on behalf of the council in recognition of his position as FCT minister and leader of the Rainbow Coalition.
