By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday, branding him a “serial failure” and dismissing his recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Kuje and other parts of the FCT, Wike rejected Atiku’s assertion—made during a national television appearance—that the Tinubu government had failed to alleviate the hardship facing Nigerians.
In a pointed response, the minister challenged the former vice president to make an honest comparison between his own record in office and the developments currently taking place in the capital.
“At a certain age, one should be able to look at facts objectively,” Wike said. “He lives in the FCT. Let him compare the FCT of today with the eight years he served as vice president.”
He added: “We have been in office for less than three years, yet the transformation is clear. Nigerians will laugh at anyone who claims nothing is being done.”
Wike further questioned Atiku’s political credibility by invoking remarks previously made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, under whom Atiku served as deputy.
“His own boss, President Obasanjo, publicly described him as a failure and questioned his character,” Wike said. “Why should I bother replying to someone whose own principal attached the tag of corruption to him?”
In a sarcastic aside, Wike said he would encourage the 78-year-old former vice president to continue contesting elections, if only to remain politically relevant—but warned that the 2027 presidency was out of reach.
“I encourage him to run. It seems that is the only way he stays relevant,” Wike said. “But 2027 is not available for him.”
