According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on April 16, 2026, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of losing political relevance and speaking from what he described as a position of frustration and diminished influence.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday while speaking with journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Kuje and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The visit formed part of routine assessments of construction works and development initiatives currently underway across Abuja.
Reacting to recent criticisms directed at the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wike dismissed Atiku’s comments as politically motivated and disconnected from present realities in the country.
He argued that the former Vice President’s repeated criticism of the government was not based on objective evaluation but on personal disappointment over his past political outings.
According to the FCT Minister, Atiku has continued to comment on national issues despite what he described as a decline in his political relevance. He suggested that the former Vice President’s remarks reflected dissatisfaction with his inability to secure lasting political success after years in public office.
Wike maintained that such criticisms fail to acknowledge ongoing developments under the current administration.
He insisted that significant work is being carried out across various sectors of governance, including infrastructure renewal, policy reforms, and urban development projects within the capital territory and beyond.
He further argued that it is unjust for critics to dismiss the efforts of the present government when, in his view, tangible progress is already visible in different parts of the country.
According to him, the administration led by President Tinubu has not spent a long time in office and should therefore be assessed within the context of its tenure so far.
The minister emphasized that governance is a gradual process, noting that less than three years is not sufficient time to fully evaluate the impact of ongoing reforms. He urged Nigerians to consider the scale of inherited challenges while assessing current performance.
Wike also challenged Atiku to a comparative evaluation of political records, stating that a side-by-side assessment of achievements would make it clear who has delivered more value in public service.
He further accused the former Vice President of making statements driven by bitterness rather than an impartial understanding of national development efforts.
Wike maintained that such criticisms do not reflect the situation on the ground, particularly with ongoing projects in Abuja and other parts of the country.
In his words, Wike said: “We have been in office for less than three years, yet the transformation is clear. Nigerians would laugh at anyone suggesting nothing is being done.”