Wike labels Atiku ‘serial loser’, predicts 2031 comeback bid

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a habitual presidential contender with no success from his repeated bids and predicting he would return to the race in 2031 despite claims to the contrary.

Wike made the remarks while inspecting ongoing road construction projects across Abuja.

Atiku on Wednesday said that the 2027 presidential election would be his final attempt at the presidency.
However, the FCT minister dismissed the claim, insisting that the former vice president would likely remain a fixture on the ballot.

“Atiku is a serial failure. He is a serial contestant and loser, and I am sure that in 2031, he will still contest. Nigerians would be laughing at such a person making that kind of statement that nothing positive has been done,” Wike said.

The minister was reacting to Atiku’s criticism of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, particularly claims that it has failed to deliver meaningful improvements for Nigerians.

Wike challenged the former vice president to compare the current state of the FCT with what obtained during his time in office. “Let him compare the FCT now and when he was vice president. Can he honestly say what we have now is the same as then?” he queried.

The minister also addressed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that officials of the FCT administration attempted to frustrate its convention by targeting the Rainbow Event Centre.

“I don’t even know where that place is. There was no interference from anybody. These people should stop looking for sympathy,” he said.