Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has hit out at ex-Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alleging that he is playing politics with the suffering Nigerians are going through by making baseless rants and theatrical outbursts driven by personal grievances.
Ibe who was reacting to Wike’s remarks that Nigerians have rejected Atiku because he is a serial election loser, said Wike harboured lingering symptom of the bitterness from his defeat to Atiku at the 2022 party presidential primaries.
Wike, who spoke on Saturday at a luncheon he organised in honour of the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rivers State, said Nigerians have rejected Atiku having lost successive presidential elections in 2019 and 2023.
“We never contested local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick form? I hear Atiku Abubakar say, ‘Oh they have rejected me in Rivers State. Okay, assuming though not conceding, he had lost so many times, Nigerians have also rejected him.”
In response to Wike’s comments in a statement late Saturday, Ibe said:
“Our attention has been drawn to the recent remarks made by Mr. Nyesom Wike, which can only be described as another of his theatrical outbursts.
“Ordinarily, we would not respond, but we recognise that silence might be misinterpreted.
“However, we remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbours from his defeat to the Wazirin Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.
READ ALSO: Rivers APC chairman declares Wike will influence the state’s political direction for next 10 years
“Mr. Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances.
“If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself.
“This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities.
“While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians.
“It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation.
“In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people.
“Mr. Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases.
“However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.”
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