“Rivers votes are not your property” — Atiku fires back at Wike over 2027 election remark

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over comments suggesting that the opposition would struggle to secure even 10 per cent of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 general elections.

Mr Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, had made the remark at a luncheon on Saturday in honour of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, insisting that no opposition candidate would win the state governorship election outside his political arrangement.

He also predicted that Mr Atiku Abubakar and the ADC would perform poorly in the presidential election in the South-South state.

Atiku rejects “political ownership” of rivers votes

Reacting in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Abubakar dismissed Minister Wike’s comments as undemocratic and insulting to voters in Rivers State.

He insisted that no individual has the power to determine or allocate votes in a democratic system.

“Rivers votes are not your property. The people of Rivers State are not political slaves. They are intelligent, independent-minded Nigerians who will make their choices based on the realities confronting them and the future they desire for their children,”— Mr Atiku Abubakar

Mr Abubakar maintained that electoral decisions rest solely with the people and cannot be dictated by political office holders regardless of their influence or access to federal power.

“Rivers electorate will decide” — Atiku

Mr Atiku Abubakar further argued that voters in Rivers State remain politically aware and will not be swayed by threats or predictions from politicians.

He said democracy is built on the freedom of choice and warned against attempts to “personalise” electoral outcomes.

According to him, the focus of Nigerians should remain on pressing national issues such as rising inflation, insecurity, and worsening living conditions rather than election-season rhetoric.

Background

The exchange highlights growing political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections, with key political figures increasingly trading accusations over voter influence and regional dominance.

Mr Atiku Abubakar also suggested that the remarks reflect unease within the ruling political camp over emerging opposition coalitions ahead of the next election cycle.

The Rivers State political landscape has remained highly contested, with alliances and counter-alliances shaping early positioning for 2027.