Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over comments suggesting that the opposition coalition would fail to secure up to 10 per cent of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the people of Rivers State are politically conscious and capable of deciding their electoral future without external influence.
Atiku dismissed the claims, describing them as an attempt to undermine the democratic rights of Rivers voters.
According to the former Vice President, no politician, regardless of status or access to federal power, can dictate how citizens should vote.
“The votes of Rivers people are not anyone’s personal property. The people of Rivers State are intelligent and independent-minded Nigerians who will make their choices based on the realities confronting them and the future they desire for their children,” the statement said.
He argued that Wike’s comments reflected growing concern within the ruling camp over the emergence of a united opposition platform under the ADC ahead of the next general election.
Atiku further stated that it was troubling for any public official to speak as though the electorate belonged to him, insisting that democracy gives citizens the freedom to choose leaders based on performance and vision rather than political directives.
READ ALSO: Atiku Seeks ADC Unity, Meets Hayatu-Deen
The ADC flagbearer also accused the minister of focusing more on political calculations than governance at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship, insecurity and rising living costs.
He maintained that voters across the country, including Rivers State, are more concerned about issues affecting their daily lives than political predictions and declarations.
Recall that Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, had made the remark during a luncheon held in honour of candidates of his Rainbow Coalition on Saturday, where he expressed confidence that the ADC and its presidential candidate would perform poorly in the state. He also predicted that only the governorship candidate endorsed by his political coalition would emerge victorious in the 2027 election.
The exchange marks another chapter in the growing political rivalry ahead of the 2027 elections, as opposition parties continue to position themselves against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its allies.