Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, to account for his eight years in office under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as Nigerians assess his renewed presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general election.
The FCT minister spoke on Thursday during a Rainbow Coalition meeting in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers state, where he challenged Atiku to account for his record as vice-president between 1999 and 2007.
Wike also said Rotimi Amaechi’s entry into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had complicated the party’s presidential ticket, while questioning its capacity to present a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu.
Wike, who said he had contested a presidential primary against Atiku, questioned the impact of the former vice-president’s time in office, particularly his role in the federal government’s privatisation programme.
“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 asked Nigerians to examine Atiku’s record rather than focus solely on his repeated attempts to become president, insisting that his performance in public office should form part of the debate over his 2027 ambition.
“Can anybody tell me, do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No!” he asked.
Wike also cited Obasanjo’s past criticism of his former deputy, referring to the former president’s reported expression of regret over supporting Atiku’s emergence as vice-president.
He argued that Obasanjo’s assessment of their relationship should be considered when evaluating Atiku’s political record.
The minister said political stakeholders should scrutinise the records of those seeking the presidency rather than make decisions based solely on emotion or political affiliations.
Wike also questioned the justification for presenting Atiku and Amaechi as a credible alternative to Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
He challenged Amaechi to account for projects and financial transactions during his eight-year administration as Rivers governor between 2007 and 2015.
Wike cited the alleged expenditure 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 handling of proceeds from the reported sale of a gas turbine, which he said took place in December 2014 for $308 million.
“Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the N68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?” Wike asked, challenging the former governor to account for the transactions.
The allegations were made by Wike at the political meeting and were not independently substantiated in the remarks provided.
Chimereze Nworgo, zonal director of the post-primary schools board, 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 cited the construction of the Ogbia-Nembe Road, improved connectivity, the establishment of a model secondary school and recognition of traditional institutions as some of the interventions appreciated by the community.
He also commended Wike’s role in supporting the political representation of Ogbia indigenes at the national level, including Ambassador Desmond Eji Akawu.
While reaffirming the community’s political support for Wike, Nworgo appealed for further interventions in road construction and rehabilitation, a general hospital, renovation of dilapidated schools, youth employment and empowerment, and more political appointments for Ogbia indigenes at the state and federal levels.
He said the community’s endorsement did not mean that all its development needs had been met, but reflected its willingness to sustain engagement with Wike in pursuit of its aspirations.
Okechukwu Akara Nwaogu, chairman of Oyigbo LGA, also presented a gift to Wike on behalf of the council in recognition of his position as FCT minister and leader of the Rainbow Coalition.
