Wike attacks Atiku over fuel subsidy comments ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has described the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as a voodoo economist. Wike made the remark while insisting that Atiku is not a leading contender in the 2027 presidential election. He spoke in Abuja while addressing journalists in reaction to Atiku’s claim that […] 2027: ‘Atiku a voodoo economist, not leading candidate’ – Wike

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his recent comment on petrol subsidy.   On Wednesday, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said he will restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.   Atiku said the government has failed to account for the funds saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy.   President Bola Tinubu had announced the removal of the petrol subsidy in his inaugural address on May 29, 2023.   Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Wike described Atiku as “confused”, adding that the former vice-president would say anything to win the presidency.   He said Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, had pledged to remove the petrol subsidy if elected, questioning why the former vice-president has now reversed his position.   “Atiku Abubakar, who is confused and a voodoo economist, will say anything just to be president,” Wike said.     “In 2022, he said he would remove the fuel subsidy because it was a fraud. Is he going back to the fraud that he had alleged was the fuel subsidy?   “We should be consistent in what we say to our people because that is what leadership is all about.   The FCT minister also dismissed Atiku’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, saying President Bola Tinubu remains the only leading candidate.   “I disagree with you that Atiku is one of the leading candidates. You have only one leading candidate, and that is Ahmed Bola Tinubu,” he said.   Wike said the 2027 elections would be easier for the ruling party than the 2023 elections because there is no serious opposition.   “I have told people that this will be the easiest election. I have said so because we have no opposition. Opposition is not merely because parties have presented their candidates,” he said.   “There was more opposition in 2023 than now. That is why I say that 2027 is gone. It is gone because you don’t have any opposition that wants to wrest power from the government.”   Wike claimed that Atiku would not become president because the former vice-president does not believe in Nigeria’s survival.

By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has described the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, as a “voodoo economist” who does not qualify as a leading contender in the 2027 presidential election, faulting his shifting position on fuel subsidy. Wike, who spoke while responding […] The post Fuel Subsidy: Atiku a ‘voodoo economist’, not a leading presidential candidate — Wike appeared first on Vanguard News.