The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blasted former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing them as “consistently inconsistent betrayers.”
Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike blasted Tambuwal and Atiku for allegedly undermining the unity and future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike, a former Rivers State Governor and influential PDP figure despite serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, said both men had repeatedly betrayed the party during its presidential primaries in 2018 and 2022.
He accused Tambuwal of stepping down for Atiku in 2022 under questionable influences, including the invocation of the “Northern card,” which sidelined Southern interests.
“These are people who have been consistently inconsistent. When you are a consistent betrayer, what do you expect?” Wike said.
The Minister further alleged that Tambuwal hoped to secure a Senate position if Atiku had emerged victorious, adding that both men often switched political parties for personal gain.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Wike’s remarks came after Tambuwal, also appearing on Politics Today, claimed Wike lacked leadership qualities.
“I have nothing against Wike, I did not betray anybody. It is when you have an understanding with somebody and you go against it that you betray the person,” Tambuwal said.
He argued that his presidential ambition predated Wike’s entry into the race.
“I was also running, and he met me in the race. I was running for president of Nigeria. I was in from 2012/2013,” Tambuwal explained.
“My friend Nyesom Wike was not then. I was in the political calculus of Nigeria for the presidency of Nigeria since then. He joined the race for the presidency of Nigeria in 2022, so who met whom in the race?”
Tambuwal insisted that Wike was aware of his ambition before declaring his own.
“He gave me the indication, but he met me in the race. He knew that I was running.
“If Atiku comes in here today and Wike comes in here and requests this my phone, my personal phone, I will give it to Wike because he is my friend.
“Even tomorrow, I would rather support Atiku instead of Nyesom Wike for the leadership of this country,” Tambuwal declared.
On Fubara’s Absence at Govt House
Wike also addressed concerns over Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s absence from the Government House on Thursday.
“There is no law that says Fubara must resume today (Thursday). He is a governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. I was sworn in today, for example, it does not mean I will go to work tomorrow. You don’t know what my programmes are; you don’t know what the governor has scheduled to do; you don’t know where he is,” Wike said.
“Governance does not mean you must be in the office governing, no, it is not true. Do you know whether he is in Abuja doing one thing or the other?
“I spoke with Fubara on Wednesday. I told him I was leaving for Abuja last night and he told me he was going back (to Rivers) today, Thursday.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that hundreds of supporters had gathered at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday to welcome Fubara following the expiration of the six-month emergency rule. However, they went home disappointed after the governor failed to appear.
President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday, September 16, 2025, formally lifted the emergency rule in Rivers State, citing improved peace and stability.
Following the announcement, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas stepped down, handing over power to Governor Fubara.
