Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, criticising his recent political moves amid ongoing defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during a recent media chat, Wike expressed disappointment over Atiku’s leadership style, blaming it for the cracks within the PDP and the wave of defections by prominent party members.
“If I were his son, I’d advise him to stop. His decisions are costing the party. People are leaving because they no longer believe in the direction he’s leading,” Wike said.
He further accused Atiku of acting in self-interest rather than building a cohesive and inclusive opposition platform.
Wike, a key figure in the G5 governors’ group, has been vocal in his disapproval of how the PDP handled its zoning arrangements and presidential candidacy in the 2023 elections, which Atiku won but eventually lost the general election to President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed that without restructuring its internal leadership and resolving key grievances, the PDP risks becoming irrelevant ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement adds to the ongoing political tension between the former allies, as Wike continues to align himself with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government while still maintaining a presence within PDP politics.