THE last may not have been heard about the choice of the running mate to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 presidential election as both Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have continued to trade words on the issue.
While Atiku’s camp revealed that he settled for former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate instead of Wike, based on the recommendation of the selection committee, Wike’s camp, however, said that the former Rivers governor, who was the preferred candidate of the committee, was overlooked for Okowa.
It would be recalled that Atiku had said in an interview that: “So in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names. 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.”
But in a statement on Saturday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike, described as false, claim by Atiku that the committee set up by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to select its vice presidential candidate rated Okowa as its first choice.
Olayinka, who said it was unfortunate that Atiku, could not respect the Holy Month of Ramadan and avoid telling lies, asked how a committee will present the person who had two votes as first choice as against the person who had 13 votes.
Olayinka, in the statement, said that it became necessary to put the records straight, insisting that “Wike never put himself forward to be Atiku’s running mate then, Atiku did by himself, and he (Wike) accepted his offer with conditions.”
He said it was a fact that in the committee report, Wike had 13 votes while Okowa had two.
He said, “The committee set up by the PDP picked Wike as Atiku’s running mate, but for reasons best known to him, he settled for Okowa, who had two votes from the committee members. That’s the truth Atiku should tell and stand with, not trying to colour his decision with falsehood.”
Olayinka, who noted that, for devout Muslims, the period of Ramadan is that of holiness, said “Unfortunately, Atiku chose to tell lies so brazenly during the holy month of Ramadan, obviously forgetting that Allah (SWT) does not hearken to the prayers of liars, probably the reason he (Atiku) has continually failed in his desperation to be president of Nigeria.”
While advising Atiku to always be honest and to stand by his decisions, Olayinka said the FCT minister was no longer interested in what happened and what did not happen concerning the 2023 presidential election.
“Like I said earlier, Wike has no regret for Atiku not picking him as his running mate and he also has no regret taking the position he took concerning the presidential election,” he said.
But in another statement by the Atiku Media Office on Saturday, the former vice president defended his decision to overlook Wike as his running mate, citing Wike’s public conduct both in Rivers State where he was governor and as the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as justification.
Atiku dismissed claims by Olayinka that the ex-Rivers governor was the preferred choice of a selection committee, arguing that Wike’s claims of securing 13 votes from the selection panel, compared to Okowa’s two votes were irrelevant.
It emphasised that the choice of a running mate is not determined solely by numbers but by character, temperament, and statesmanship.
“There are no laid-down rules or laws on the selection process of a running mate. Committees, consultations, and recommendations are advisory in nature. The final decision rests solely and exclusively with the presidential candidate,” the statement read.
It further stressed that while Wike might have had numerical support, his character and conduct disqualified him from being a unifying leader.
“A man may boast of numbers, but if his conduct lacks grace and humility, those numbers are empty,” it added.
Atiku’s camp pointed to Wike’s recent actions as FCT minister and his past leadership in Rivers State as proof that he was unsuitable for the role of vice president.
“We have been vindicated by Mr Wike’s public conduct in Rivers State, where he once served as governor, and in Abuja since becoming FCT minister, which has made it abundantly clear why he was unsuitable for the role of vice president in a ticket meant to unify, not divide,” the statement continued.
Wike has been at the center of political tensions in Rivers State, particularly due to his ongoing feud with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
His time as FCT minister has also been marked by controversial policies and clashes with political opponents.
Atiku’s media office took a swipe at Wike’s team for what it described as emotional outbursts and misplaced aggression, urging them to prioritise the task of rebuilding the nation over political bickering.
“The task of rebuilding our party and our nation is a serious one. It is time to move beyond bruised egos and focus on what truly matters: the future of Nigeria and the well-being of its people,” the statement concluded.
The rift between Atiku and Wike has been a defining element of opposition politics in Nigeria.
Wike, a key figure in the G5 Governors’ rebellion within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), openly opposed Atiku’s candidacy in the 2023 election.
His subsequent alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration as FCT minister has further deepened divisions within the PDP.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune