Atiku Blasts Wike Over 2027 Election Claims, Says Rivers Voters Are Not Political Slaves
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over remarks suggesting that the ADC and its presidential candidate would struggle to secure up to 10 percent of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 general elections.
PulseNets learnt that the disagreement stems from recent political developments in Rivers State, where Wike expressed confidence in the strength of his political structure ahead of the next election cycle.
During a luncheon organised in honour of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, the former Rivers State governor maintained that his political alliance would emerge victorious in the state’s governorship contest.
Wike also asserted that no political party would be capable of winning the governorship election in Rivers State except a candidate endorsed by his Rainbow Coalition, a position many political observers interpreted as a demonstration of his continued influence over the state’s political landscape.
Responding through a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed the comments as unrealistic and disrespectful to the people of Rivers State.
The former Vice President argued that Rivers voters are politically conscious and cannot be treated as individuals whose electoral choices can be controlled by any politician regardless of status, influence, or access to power.
Atiku further contended that the comments reflect growing concern within political circles aligned with President Bola Tinubu as opposition forces continue to attract attention ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to the statement obtained by PulseNets, it was troubling that Wike appeared to speak as though the electorate in Rivers State belonged to him and could be politically allocated at will.
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“Rivers vote are not your property. The people of Rivers State are not political slaves. They are intelligent, independent-minded Nigerians who will make their choices based on the realities confronting them and the future they desire for their children.
“No individual, regardless of influence or access to federal power, can dictate how an entire state will vote,” the statement read.
