Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, says he will ensure that the former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, does not succeed in his future political ambitions.
Speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, on Wednesday, Wike said he had no regrets about Atiku not choosing him as a running mate before the 2023 election. Their political rivalry dates back to the 2022 PDP primaries, where Wike lost the presidential ticket to Atiku.
Atiku addressed this issue in a recent interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie. He said he had “no regrets” about picking former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over Wike as his running mate. He explained that Okowa was the party’s first choice, and he simply went along with it.
“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.
Wike’s Response to Atiku’s Remarks
Reacting on X, Olayinka fired back, saying Wike does not regret losing the slot and remains determined to stop Atiku in future elections.
“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,” Olayinka posted.
“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.”
Video: When Akpabio was governor, he had habit of sexually harassing women -Atiku
— The Sun Nigeria (@thesunnigeria) March 26, 2025
…Says no regrets rejecting Wike as running mate
Credit: Untold Stories pic.twitter.com/5G8Et93BHF
This exchange is the latest in the long-standing feud between the two political figures, raising questions about the future of the PDP and Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Wike, still in the opposition party, is a powerful minister in the ruling APC government of President Bola Tinubu.
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