The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the selection process of his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku had stated that the committee set up by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ranked former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the top choice for the vice-presidential slot, with Wike coming second and Udom Emmanuel in third place.
However, Wike’s camp insists this is untrue.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike refuted Atiku’s narrative, accusing him of distorting facts even during the holy month of Ramadan.
“How can a committee rank someone with just two votes over another who secured 13 votes? The truth is that Wike never lobbied to be Atiku’s running mate.
Instead, Atiku personally approached him with the offer, which he accepted under certain conditions,” Olayinka stated.
He further clarified that the committee had indeed chosen Wike as Atiku’s running mate, but for reasons known only to Atiku, he opted for Okowa despite the overwhelming committee vote in Wike’s favor.
Atiku’s Decision and the Fallout
Olayinka emphasized that Atiku should stand by his decision rather than attempting to revise history.
He noted that Wike harbors no regrets about not being chosen and remains firm in his political stance.
“The minister has moved on. He has no regrets about Atiku’s decision or the position he took in the election,” Olayinka added.
He also criticized Atiku’s timing, questioning why he would make such claims during Ramadan.
Quoting Islamic teachings, he suggested that falsehoods have consequences, perhaps even contributing to Atiku’s repeated failures in his presidential ambitions.
The dispute reignites tensions within the PDP, highlighting the lingering divisions from the 2023 elections.
As political dynamics continue to shift, all eyes remain on Wike and Atiku’s next moves in Nigeria’s ever-evolving political landscape.
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