The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar as serial political defectors only interested in securing presidential tickets in 2027 rather than building political parties.

In a media chat on Wednesday, Mr Wike stated, “Obi was in APGA and left because he couldn’t use his leadership skills to build the party. He came to PDP and left. He joined Labour Paty and left because he couldn’t put the party together. He is now in NDC from ADC. Who will stabilise the parties if you can’t? He is looking for where food is ready.”

He added, “Atiku also left the PDP because he knew he wouldn’t be allowed to take everything and run again for president. He saw he couldn’t manipulate it then he had to go where he could get tickets. All these are about interests.”

Messrs Obi and Abubakar joined the African Democratic Congress from the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party respectively, vowing to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The former Anambra State governor, on Sunday, left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, citing party’s legal crisis. 

He also accused the Tinubu-led administration of destabilising the opposition. 

However, Mr Wike dismissed the allegations as untrue and accused the opposition of hypocrisy.

“It is sad that when the court favours them, it is not the fault of the ruling government. That’s the problem. There is nothing like one-party state. And like I told you, there is nothing like coalition anywhere. They’ll soon collapse like a pack of cards.

“Their own definition of opposition is government isn’t doing very well. You don’t become opposition for opposing sake. It should not always be about crises. At least, say the right steps the government is taking to,” he stated. 

The minister insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party remains the only opposition party in the country.

The spokespersons for Messrs Obi and Abubakar could not be reached for comments on Mr Wike’s statement as they had yet to reply to calls to their mobiles and to text messages sent as of the time this report was filed.