On Wednesday, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), announced that he intends to ensure that Atiku Abubakar, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), fails in his next attempt for the presidency.
The tension between Atiku and Wike began during the controversial PDP primaries in 2022. Wike had anticipated being chosen for the vice-presidential position, but Atiku opted for Ifeanyi Okowa, the former Governor of Delta State.
In a recent interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, Atiku stated that he has “no regrets” about not choosing Wike as his running mate in the 2023 election. He explained that the decision to select Okowa was intentionally left to the PDP.
“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,” Atiku said.
Atiku shared that the committee chose Okowa as their top candidate, followed by Wike in second place, and Udom Emmanuel in third.
Responding, Olayinka said Wike has no regret over losing the slot to Okowa.
Posting on X, Olayinka wrote: “Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.
“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.”
