Lagos, Nigeria – Arise News anchor and political commentator Rufai Oseni has stirred fresh controversy in Nigeria’s opposition politics after declaring that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike was right in his long-standing criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Oseni made the remark during a recent broadcast while analysing emerging political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Wike was right about Atiku,” he stated, a comment that has since triggered heated debate across political and social media spaces.
The controversy has been amplified by Atiku Abubakar’s recent move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and renewed concerns over zoning arrangements within the opposition, particularly calls for the presidency to rotate to the South in 2027.
Critics argue that Atiku’s continued interest in the presidential race undermines informal zoning understandings, a position that has further divided political actors within the opposition bloc.
The issue of zoning was a major source of tension during the 2023 election cycle, when Nyesom Wike, then Governor of Rivers State and leader of the G5 governors, openly opposed Atiku’s candidacy in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike had accused Atiku of violating internal agreements on power rotation, a dispute that contributed to deep fractures within the PDP and weakened the party’s performance in the presidential election.
Oseni’s latest comment is being interpreted by political observers as a validation of Wike’s earlier stance, especially in light of Atiku’s continued political relevance and ambition within a new party platform.
Analysts say the development underscores ongoing instability within Nigeria’s opposition politics, as parties struggle to build consensus ahead of the 2027 elections.
The comment has sparked mixed reactions online, with supporters of Atiku dismissing it as partisan commentary, while others say it reflects unresolved leadership and zoning disputes within the opposition.
With political realignments intensifying, observers note that the zoning debate and Atiku’s role in the ADC are likely to remain central issues shaping Nigeria’s pre-election discourse.
The ADC has not yet issued an official response to the latest controversy surrounding its prominent new member.
