The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained the reason behind his opposition to Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential ambition.
Speaking during a media chat on Monday in Abuja, the former Rivers State Governor stated that his decision was rooted in the principle of equity, fairness, and justice, insisting that it was the South’s turn to produce the president.
“I made it very clear that I was not going to support Atiku Abubakar. I said for equity, fairness, and justice, it was the turn of the South,” Wike declared.
The statement reaffirms Wike’s longstanding position on power rotation within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was a major factor during the party’s internal crisis in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections.
PDP Leadership Tensions
Wike also shed light on past internal power struggles in the PDP, particularly efforts to make former Senate President David Mark the party’s National Chairman. According to him, the proposal was resisted because Mark would not have brought meaningful reform to the party.
“We refused because he was not going to bring any change to the party,” Wike said, emphasizing his push for transformative leadership within the PDP.
On Rivers State Political Crisis
Addressing the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, Wike stated that President Bola Tinubu is unlikely to support an extension of emergency rule in the state.
“From my understanding, the President does not want to extend the emergency rule in Rivers State,” he disclosed, potentially easing speculations about a federal intervention in the state’s internal political affairs.
Wike’s remarks come at a time of heightened political realignments, both within the PDP and across Nigeria’s broader political landscape, as parties prepare for the next round of elections and leadership changes.
