The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to work against former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s future attempts to win the presidency.
Speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike stated that he holds no regrets over Atiku’s decision to overlook him as a running mate during the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku, in a recent interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, also maintained that he had “no regrets” about choosing former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over Wike.
The tension between both politicians stems from the disputed PDP primaries in 2022, where Wike expected to be compensated with the vice-presidential ticket after losing to Atiku.
However, Atiku left the decision to the party, which set up a committee to select three potential running mates.
“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 explained.
According to him, the committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, Wike as second, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel as third.
“So I picked number one,” Atiku stated.
In response, Olayinka reiterated that Wike had no regrets about the outcome and remains determined to thwart Atiku’s presidential ambitions.
Posting on X, Olayinka wrote: “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 regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again.”
SEE POST:
“ No regrets of losing the Vp slot , I will ensure you lose again and again “!
~ Wike’s media aide Lere Olayinka, declared that his principal would actively oppose Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambitions, suggesting that Atiku’s pursuit of the presidency is futile, After Vice… pic.twitter.com/T1HLdvQFqA— PB (@Pep_Boxx) March 26, 2025
