*Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, lambasts former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, warning Nigerians against entrusting the country’s destiny unto a ‘political gambler who will sell Nigeria the way he sold the country’s assets when he was Vice-President’
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
Amid the electioneering towards the 2027 General Elections, Barrister Nyesom Wike, Honourable Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has lambasted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Wike warned Nigerians against entrusting the Nigeria’s destiny unto a “political gambler who will sell Nigeria the way he sold the country’s assets when he was Vice-President.”
The Minister for the FCT launched the scathing remark against Atiku Friday, November 6, 2026, when speaking during a “Rainbow Coalition” town hall meeting with stakeholders in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria,
Wike also defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy.
He contended that the policy has increased revenue allocations to states and local governments across the country.
The Minister explained that as citizens are currently navigating tough economic challenges, the increased financial autonomy for all tiers of government has resolved persistent issues, such as unpaid salaries and pension backlogs.
On Atiku and national leadership
Highlighting the experience in national political arena over the decades, Barrister Wike heavily criticised Atiku’s track record, referencing his time as Vice-President overseeing the privatisation of public assets between 1999 and 2007.
He further said: “Atiku Abubakar was Vice-President for eight years.
“He was in charge of privatisation. He sold assets belonging to Nigeria.
“Now ask him, what happened to all the government companies that he sold? Ask him.”
Values-based leadership as a matter of integrity, by Minister
Besides, Wike interrogated Atiku’s consistency and reliability when it goes to leadership, labelling him a “political gambler”, who runs for the Presidency every four years.
The Minister further cautioned Nigerians that giving Atiku power would result in his spending his tenure attempting to recover past political investments rather than serving the people.
Wike declared: “He will sell Nigeria to recover all what (that) he has spent since he has been contesting for President.
“He is not a man that you can take his word to the bank.”
The Minister further noted: “What he (Atiku) says in the morning is not what he’ll say in the afternoon.
“Therefore, you cannot put your destiny in the hand of a political gambler.”
Wike as well some perceived stability under the current administration, including the relative stability in the country’s ivory tower, particularly, the absence of prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strikes over the past three years.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to remain patient as the Federal Government’s economic policy reforms take root to yield long-term benefits for Nigerians.