The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has explained why he rejected former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as his running mate in the election.
Daily Trust had reported how Atiku overlooked Wike, now FCT minister, and settled for ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in the election.
Wike had gone all out to work against Atiku, eventually earning his current position in the federal cabinet.
In an interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, Atiku said he had no regrets about not choosing Wike, saying, “They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate, so in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names.
The committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, Wike second, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel third. So I picked number one.”
In response, Lere Olayinka, spokesman of the FCT minister, in a social media post, said his principal will ensure Atiku fails in any future attempt to become Nigeria’s president.The committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, Wike second, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel third. So I picked number one.”
In response, Lere Olayinka, spokesman of the FCT minister, in a social media post, said his principal will ensure Atiku fails in any future attempt to become Nigeria’s president.
Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again.”
Reacting, in a statement released on Saturday, Atiku’s media office stressed that numbers are meaningless without good conduct and humility.
The statement reads: “The attention of Atiku Media Office has been drawn to yet another emotional outburst disguised as a press statement from the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, issued by his aide, Lere Olayinka.
