The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s consistency on power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria, accusing him of changing positions on political agreements.
Wike spoke in Port Harcourt during the unveiling of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, where he also urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across several states to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The minister said his experience with Atiku during the 2019 presidential election and the 2022 PDP presidential primaries had informed his assessment of the former vice-president’s political conduct.
He questioned Atiku’s position on power rotation, referring to past political understandings concerning the distribution of presidential power between the North and South.
Wike also cited former President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to contest the 2015 presidential election as part of the history of the debate over power rotation.
The FCT minister accused Atiku of changing his position on political matters and questioned whether he could be relied upon to honour political agreements.
“He tells you one thing in the morning; he tells you another thing in the afternoon. He tells you something in the evening; the next morning he tells you a different thing,” Wike said.
He further stressed the importance of respecting political agreements, declaring, “Agreement is a contract to you.”
Wike’s comments came as he called on PDP members in Rivers State and other parts of the country to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, regardless of their party affiliations.
He specifically mentioned Rivers, Kwara, Zamfara, Abia and Ogun States, urging PDP members in those states to support the President.
The minister also called for support for the APC’s candidates in Rivers State, including its governorship candidate, identified in the event’s remarks as Kingsley Oguwike, as well as candidates contesting seats in the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly.
Wike maintained that members of different political parties in Rivers State had agreed to work together under the Rainbow Coalition.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who also addressed the gathering, pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu, citing the President’s support during a difficult period in his administration.
“With all my heart, and soul, and body, I will do everything within my power to ensure that we have victory not just for Mr President who has stood for me in my most difficult time,” Fubara said.
The governor also acknowledged Wike’s leadership of the political bloc, describing the gathering as a reunion of political associates committed to the interests of Rivers State.
Also speaking, the APC governorship candidate, identified in the remarks as Kingsley Chinda, said the coalition would continue beyond the elections and pledged an inclusive administration involving its participating groups.
“The government will continue as a government of coalition by members of the rainbow,” he said.
Wike’s remarks brought the debate over power rotation and adherence to political agreements into focus as political parties and their leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
