The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hit back at recent criticisms from Ovation Magazine’s publisher, Dele Momodu, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, the Minister accused Momodu of supporting Atiku Abubakar solely for financial reasons.
Wike described Momodu as a political opportunist, claiming that his loyalty shifts depending on who is funding him.
“We are hearing all this noise from him because Atiku is paying his bills. Let Atiku stop paying, Oga Dele Momodu will move to the next victim,” he stated.
The remarks followed recent claims by Momodu that Wike played a role in the departure of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi from the PDP. Olayinka dismissed the allegation as baseless and insulting, questioning Momodu’s knowledge of party affairs.
“Only someone like Dele Momodu, who does not have knowledge of anything apart from his stomach, would claim that it was Wike that drove Peter Obi out of the PDP,” he said.
Olayinka also used the opportunity to point fingers at Atiku, accusing him of being a long-time source of division in the PDP. He alleged that Atiku has, since 2003, undermined the party’s progress, referencing the PDP’s failed effort to secure Lagos State during that year.
“Atiku has been the weapon fashioned against the PDP since he frustrated the party’s efforts to win Lagos State in 2003,” Olayinka noted.
He further questioned Atiku’s public support for a South-East candidate before the 2023 election. According to Olayinka, Atiku had already purchased the PDP’s presidential nomination form even before the party’s zoning committee concluded its process—casting doubt on his sincerity.
“Dele Momodu claimed Atiku wanted the PDP to field a candidate from the South-East, but conveniently ignored the fact that Atiku had already declared his interest,” he stated.
To support his claims of internal party dissatisfaction, Olayinka listed key figures who have parted ways with Atiku. These include former campaign director Senator Gbenga Daniel, his 2023 running mate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel. He also mentioned that current Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno has been distancing himself from Atiku’s camp.
“Was it Wike that made Senator Gbenga Daniel, who was the Director General of Atiku’s 2019 campaign, leave PDP barely two weeks after the election? Was it Wike that made Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa leave the PDP?” he asked.
Olayinka ended his remarks by suggesting that Atiku’s style of leadership is self-serving, which may explain why so many close associates have left him behind after election cycles.
