The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for his recurring pattern of switching political parties.

During a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike noted that Abubakar has changed political affiliations multiple times since Nigeria transitioned to civilian rule in 1999.

Wike further remarked that Abubakar’s recent move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is characteristic of the politician's tendency to shift allegiances.

“Atiku was in the PDP in 1999, then he joined the Action Congress (AC). After AC, he returned to the PDP, later moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and then back to the PDP again, all in pursuit of the presidential ticket,” Wike said.

“If I were his son, I would sit him down and ask: ‘Dad, how can you keep hopping from one party to another at almost 80 years old?”

The minister stated that Abubakar’s actions are motivated by his relentless ambition to attain the presidency. Wike rejected the opposition coalition formed against President Bola Tinubu and the APC. Additionally, he mentioned that Abubakar left the PDP because he believed he wouldn’t secure the party’s presidential ticket.

“The way the PDP is now, it is not likely that Atiku would get a ticket, therefore it is not comfortable. Therefore, he tells you, let’s do a coalition against Tinubu. It’s not right,” he said.

“It is because he cannot get the presidential ticket under the PDP that he pushed for a coalition.”

ASA