Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has launched another verbal attack on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his credibility and accusing him of making inconsistent promises as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during the unveiling of candidates backed by the Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he reaffirmed his political support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.
Referring to Atiku, who is seeking the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Wike challenged members of the gathering to consider their knowledge of the former vice-president before deciding whether to support his political ambition.
“I pray you never know him. I ran with him in the 2022 presidential primaries. In 2019, I was one of the biggest sponsors for that presidential election. He’s not a man that you can go to the bank with his words. He tells you another thing in the morning, he tells you another thing in the afternoon,” Wike said.
The FCT minister’s comments draw on his history of political dealings with Atiku within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly their rivalry during the party’s 2022 presidential primary.
Atiku won the PDP presidential ticket in 2022, defeating Wike and other aspirants. The outcome contributed to a bitter dispute within the party, with Wike and his allies demanding greater consideration in the party’s leadership arrangements following the primary.
Wike subsequently refused to support Atiku’s presidential campaign in the 2023 election, instead maintaining his opposition to the former vice-president’s candidacy while continuing to wield considerable influence in Rivers State politics.
The latest criticism comes as Atiku pursues another presidential bid, this time on the ADC platform, amid efforts by opposition politicians to build an alternative political force ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike’s remarks also reflect his determination to mobilise support for Tinubu through the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political platform bringing together supporters of the President from different political backgrounds.
The coalition’s candidate unveiling attracted political stakeholders associated with several parties, including the All Progressives Congress, PDP, Labour Party, Action Alliance, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Allied Peoples Movement.
Although Wike remains a member of the PDP, he has openly supported Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that political alliances should be determined by the interests of the people and the benefits they stand to gain from government policies and projects.
At the gathering, the former Rivers State governor questioned the strength of opposition parties in Rivers State and challenged the prospect of Atiku securing substantial electoral support in the state.
Wike has repeatedly criticised opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that voters should assess political leaders based on their records, consistency and ability to deliver results rather than their promises.
His latest comments are likely to deepen the political confrontation between supporters of the Tinubu administration and those rallying behind Atiku and other opposition figures.
Atiku has yet to respond publicly to the latest remarks in the reports reviewed. Wike’s allegations about the former vice-president’s reliability remain his own political assessment.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the exchange highlights the growing battle for political influence in Rivers State, where Wike’s network, the Rainbow Coalition and opposition groups are positioning themselves for a consequential electoral contest.
