Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has delivered a sharp rebuke to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dismissing his claims of superior character and integrity as fundamentally flawed. Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, asserted that Atiku’s purported character deficiencies are deeply rooted and irretrievable.
The rebuttal was triggered by a statement from the Atiku Media Office, which attributed the rejection of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) committee’s vice-presidential candidate selection to character concerns. Wike’s camp countered, citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s documented criticisms of Atiku’s integrity during his vice presidency.
Olayinka emphasised that Atiku’s historical actions, including the rejection of the PDP committee’s decision despite prior assurances, undermine his present claims. He referenced Obasanjo’s scathing assessment of Atiku’s character in his book, “My Watch,” which detailed allegations of dishonesty, corruption, and disloyalty.
The statement highlighted specific excerpts from Obasanjo’s book, alleging Atiku’s “propensity to corruption,” “inability to say and stick to the truth,” and “readiness to sacrifice morality, integrity, propriety, truth and national interest for self and selfish interest.” Wike’s aide pointedly noted that Atiku has not refuted these claims.
Furthermore, Olayinka contrasted Wike’s direct and unwavering political stance with Atiku’s perceived inconsistencies. He accused Atiku of “lies” and “pretences,” and stressed that Wike’s positions are transparent and consistent, contrasting this with Atiku’s perceived penchant for political maneuvering.
The statement concluded by urging Atiku to embrace truthfulness and reliability, particularly in his advanced age, and to prioritise integrity over political ambition.
