The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has berated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s record in office, saying that his years in government, particularly the testimony of his boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, should be examined ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mr Wike stated this during a Rainbow Coalition meeting in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday.
The minister said that a former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi’s entry into the African Democratic Congress had complicated the party’s presidential ticket, questioning the political platform’s capacity to present a convincing alternative to President Bola Tinubu.
“Atiku was vicepresident 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,” Mr Wike stated.
Messrs Obasanjo and Abubakar were elected on a joint ticket on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1999. They fell out after the latter tried to succeed his principal in his second term but they eventually both served out the eight years.
Though attempts were made to reconcile them over the years, the portrayal of Mr Abubakar as a corrupt politician by Mr Obasanjo continues to dent their relationship.
The minister further challenged Mr Abubakar to account for his eight years as vice president under Mr Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.
He urged Nigerians to examine the ADC presidential candidate’s record rather than focus solely on his repeated attempts to become president.
“Can anybody tell me, do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No!” he stated.
The minister insisted that Mr Obasanjo’s assessment of his relationship with Mr Abubakar should be considered in evaluating the latter’s political record.
Mr Wike, who cited various failed projects under Mr Amaechi, also urged political stakeholders to scrutinise the records of those seeking the presidency and avoid making decisions based solely on emotion or political affiliations.
“Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the N68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?,” he added.
He also urged political stakeholders to examine the promises and performance of aspirants and not be swayed by campaign rhetoric, insisting that the country’s leadership choices should be informed by accountability.
