The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has mocked rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, over her inability to secure the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket for the FCT senatorial race.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Wike spoke on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the Renewed Hope Luncheon organised by the Rainbow Coalition, a group of political parties including the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Yesufu had declared interest in the FCT Senate race on May 6 after joining the NDC from the African Democratic Congress.
The Peter Obi ally had said her decision to contest was based on her leadership experience in the ADC.
However, there were recent speculations that the NDC had ceded the FCT Senate ticket to Amanda Pam, another aspirant said to have been in the party before Yesufu joined.
In a statement on Friday, Yesufu said the party would not conduct primaries for the FCT Senate seat, effectively ending her ambition.
She later clarified in another statement that she did not withdraw from the race but could not “compromise” her values in a process she described as marred by “injustice” and a “breach of the Electoral Act.”
Reacting, Wike mocked Yesufu, saying her social media criticism did not translate into political victory.
Wike said, “You saw what happened in the NDC. There is one woman who said Wike is an appointee of the government and that she has no business with appointees.
“You speak grammar, speak grammar oh. Ordinary primary of NDC, not APC or PDP, just ordinary NDC, what happened? She didn’t make it.”
The FCT minister said some critics make loud claims in the media but struggle when confronted with political realities.
He further stated, “It’s easy for people to talk. When they enter those media houses, they begin to churn out data from nowhere.
“Now, the time for data has come. What happened? Fa fa fa foul. It didn’t work. If e didn’t dey? E didn’t dey.
“You pontificate this and that. But when the time for pontification came, what happened? It didn’t work. And it will not work.”
Wike said experience remained important in Nigerian politics.
He urged Nigerians to follow politicians who understand the country’s political terrain and are committed to development.
“Follow those who understand this country, who understand the politics and who mean well for the development of the country,” he said.