Atiku Abubakar Challenges Wike on Rivers Votes Ownership

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has responded to comments made by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State. Wike suggested that the ADC would not secure 10 percent of the total votes cast in the upcoming 2027 presidential election in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, he asserted that votes in Rivers State are not the property of any individual, but rather belong to the people. Atiku emphasized that the electorate in Rivers State is intelligent enough to make their own choices based on their realities and aspirations for the future.

He criticized Wike's comments as indicative of growing panic within the Tinubu camp and highlighted that no individual, regardless of their influence or access to federal power, can dictate the voting decisions of the entire state.