Wike Questions Atiku’s Credibility, Says Former VP Cannot Be Trusted

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has questioned the credibility of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of frequently changing his positions on political issues.

Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during the unveiling of candidates for the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition, where he criticised the consistency of Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The minister referred to his previous political dealings with Atiku, recalling that he supported the former vice-president’s presidential ambition in 2019 before contesting against him during the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential primary in 2022.

“I pray you never know him, [Atiku Abubakar]. I ran with him in the 2022 presidential primaries. In 2019, I was one of the biggest sponsors for that presidential election,” Wike said.

He subsequently questioned Atiku’s reliability, arguing that his statements and positions were inconsistent.

“He’s not a man that you can go to the bank with his words,” the FCT minister declared.

Wike further alleged that Atiku frequently changed his position within short periods, making it difficult for others to rely on his commitments.

“He tells you one thing in the morning, he tells you another thing in the afternoon. He tells you something in the evening, the next morning he tells you a different thing,” he said.

The minister also challenged his audience to consider whether Atiku was a political leader worth following, asking, “Is he the man you follow?”

Wike’s comments came amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and alliances positioning themselves for the forthcoming polls.

The remarks reflect the ongoing political disagreements between the two politicians, who have previously been involved in the PDP’s presidential contest and other political engagements.