Wike claims Atiku, who has lost repeatedly, plans to run again in 2031

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, labeling him a perennial election candidate who has consistently come up short, with Wike predicting that Atiku will once again throw his hat into the ring in 2031 despite any claims to the contrary.

While overseeing an inspection tour of ongoing road construction projects in Abuja, Wike seized the opportunity to respond to Atiku's assertion that the current administration has failed to deliver any meaningful benefits to ordinary Nigerians, dismissing Atiku as a "serial failure" and a "serial contestant and loser".

Wike's criticism was unsparing, as he dared Atiku to compare the current state of the Federal Capital Territory to its condition during Atiku's tenure as vice president, asking rhetorically if the two periods were comparable, and whether Atiku could honestly claim that the FCT's current state is the same as it was during his time in office.

Minister Wike also addressed allegations made by the African Democratic Congress that FCT officials had attempted to disrupt the party's convention by targeting the Rainbow Event Centre, stating that he was unfamiliar with the location and that there had been no interference from the authorities, and advising the party to cease seeking sympathy.

The minister drew a clear distinction between electioneering and governance, stating that while elections would inevitably take place, the business of governing and providing services to the people must continue uninterrupted, declaring that "contractors are not part of the election".