Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will ensure Atiku Abubakar fails “again and again” in any future attempts to become the President of Nigeria. This statement reveals the ongoing Atiku-Wike rift, which has escalated since the 2023 presidential election.
Wike expressed his feelings through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, in response to Atiku’s recent remarks regarding his decision not to choose Wike as his running mate for the 2023 election. In a recent interview, Atiku stated that he has “no regrets” about his choice and explained that he let the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) decide who would be his running mate.
The conflict between Atiku and Wike began during the controversial PDP primaries in 2022. After losing the party’s presidential ticket to Atiku, Wike hoped to become the vice-presidential candidate. However, Atiku chose former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa instead.
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Atiku clarified his decision by saying, “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.” According to Atiku, 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 added.
In response to Atiku’s comments, Olayinka emphasized that Wike does not regret the situation. He tweeted, “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 regrets for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again.”
This ongoing Atiku-Wike rift highlights the tension within the PDP as both politicians seem determined to make their intentions clear regarding future ambitions. As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how this rivalry will affect both leaders and their parties moving forward.
