“If I Were Atiku’s Son, I’d Advise Him To Stop Changing Political Parties” – Wike

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for constantly jumping from one political party to another.

Speaking at a media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike said Atiku has made a habit of switching parties ever since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.

He pointed out that Atiku’s recent move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is nothing new for the former vice president.

“Atiku was in the PDP in 1999, then he joined the Action Congress (AC). After AC, he returned to the PDP, later moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and then back to the PDP again, all in pursuit of the presidential ticket,” Wike said.

He added, “If I were his son, I would sit him down and ask: ‘Dad, how can you keep hopping from one party to another at almost 80 years old?”

Wike accused Atiku of being driven purely by his ambition to become president, not by ideology or commitment to any party.

He also brushed off talks of an opposition alliance forming against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC, saying Atiku only left the PDP because he saw no chance of securing the presidential ticket.

“The way the PDP is now, it is not likely that Atiku would get a ticket, therefore it is not comfortable. Therefore, he tells you, let’s do a coalition against Tinubu. It’s not right.

“It is because he cannot get the presidential ticket under the PDP that he pushed for a coalition,” the minister said.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nyesom Wike had previously vowed to oppose Atiku Abubakar’s bid for the 2027 presidency.