Wike: I Became a Hero of Democracy by Ensuring Atiku Lost in 2023

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared himself a “hero of Nigerian democracy”, claiming credit for ensuring that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lost the 2023 presidential election.

                                 

Wike made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today while responding to comments that former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, was the “hero” of the PDP’s 2022 presidential primary.

At the PDP’s 2022 convention, Tambuwal had stepped down and directed his supporters to back Atiku. However, Wike insisted that his own actions during the general election were more decisive.

“They called Tambuwal ‘Hero of convention’ after breaking party laws. But we became the Hero of Democracy by making sure Atiku lost in the real election,” Wike said.

He added that Atiku performed poorly in Rivers State, securing less than 5 percent of the vote in 2023, and predicted a repeat outcome in 2027.

Wike also accused Atiku of repeatedly using Nigerians’ economic struggles as justification for switching political parties.

According to him:

• Atiku defected from the PDP to the AC, citing hunger in the country.

• Later, he returned to the PDP, repeating the same line.

• He moved to the APC, again saying Nigerians were hungry.

• Eventually, he rejoined the PDP, and even briefly joined the ADC, still with the same excuse.

“Imagine such a character,” Wike remarked, dismissing Atiku’s consistency and political credibility.

Wike’s sharp criticism of Atiku highlights the ongoing rift within the PDP and raises questions about the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 elections. His comments also suggest that Rivers State may remain a hostile ground for Atiku if political dynamics remain unchanged.