The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, declared that he would ensure that former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, fails in his next push for the presidency.
Speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike said he has no regret that Atiku refused to pick him as his running mate during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.
The rift between Atiku and Wike dates back to the controversial PDP primaries of 2022. Wike had expected to be compensated with the vice-presidential slot, but Atiku picked former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
In a new interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, Atiku said he had “no regrets” for ignoring Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
Addressing why he chose Okowa over Wike, Atiku stated that he deliberately left the decision 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 said the committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in third.
“So I picked number one,” he said.
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.”
