In a recent interview on Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed that he has “no regrets” about choosing Ifeanyi Okowa over Nyesom Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election. Atiku maintains that “Okowa was better choice than Wike” for the vice-presidential position.
Atiku lost the closely contested election to President Bola Tinubu, and he reflected on the rift between him and Wike, which began during the heated PDP primaries in 2022. Wike, who was then the governor of Rivers State, fiercely campaigned for the party’s ticket but was ultimately defeated by Atiku.
After losing the primary, Wike expected to be awarded the vice-presidential slot as compensation. However, Atiku selected former Governor Okowa of Delta State instead, a move that many believe contributed to divisions within the PDP.
Party insiders have accused Wike of undermining Atiku’s campaign during the 2023 election. This allegation gained traction when Wike formed a relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and later accepted the position of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Tinubu’s administration.
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When discussing his decision to choose Okowa, Atiku stated that he left the selection process up to the PDP to ensure broader consultation. “They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate,” he explained. “So in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names.”
Atiku revealed that 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 firmly.
When questioned if he regretted not selecting Wike, Atiku responded with confidence, saying, “No, not at all.”
Wike, known for his outspoken nature, has been critical of Atiku’s leadership and has challenged the PDP’s authority openly. His reluctance to fully support Atiku during the election, alongside his group of allies known as the G5, played a significant role in Atiku’s defeat.
As the PDP continues to deal with internal strife, Wike is consolidating his influence within Tinubu’s administration, while Atiku is setting his sights on another presidential bid in 2027. The ongoing discussion about party leadership highlights the sentiment that Okowa was better choice than Wike during a crucial time for the opposition party.
