March 26, 2025
By Yinka Omotayo
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has declared that he will ensure Atiku Abubakar, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, fails in his future presidential bids.
Wike, speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, expressed no regret over being overlooked as Atiku’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku had stated that he had “no regrets” about not picking Wike as his running mate.
He explained that he allowed the PDP to decide his running mate to avoid accusations of unilateral decision-making.
The party recommended three names: Ifeanyi Okowa, Wike, and Udom Emmanuel, with Okowa as the top choice.
Wike’s media aide, Olayinka, responded to Atiku’s statement, saying Wike has no regret about losing the vice-presidential slot to Okowa.
Olayinka wrote on X: “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.”
The rift between Atiku and Wike dates back to the 2022 PDP primaries.
Wike had expected to be compensated with the vice-presidential slot but was overlooked in favor of Okowa.
