The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his stance against the presidential ambitions of Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he will work to ensure Atiku’s defeat in future elections.
Gists9ja reports that Wike’s reaction comes after Atiku addressed his decision not to select him as a running mate during the 2023 election, stating that he has no regrets over the choice.
Atiku made this remark during an interview on the television program Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, where he responded to questions about the internal leadership crisis that rocked the PDP following his selection of a running mate.
Atiku Stands by His 2023 Running Mate Decision
During the interview, Atiku firmly dismissed any suggestion that he should have chosen Wike, stating: “No, not at all.”
He explained that his decision was based on the party’s internal process, emphasizing that he had faced criticism in 2019 for allegedly not consulting widely before picking Peter Obi as his vice-presidential candidate. Atiku suggested that this time, he had followed due process in selecting Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his 2023 running mate.
However, many political observers believe that bypassing Wike—who led a faction of five rebellious PDP governors known as the G5—played a key role in Atiku’s loss in the 2023 presidential election. Wike himself later admitted to working against Atiku’s candidacy, claiming he helped deliver Rivers State for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike Fires Back: “I Have No Regrets”
In response to Atiku’s remarks, Wike, through his media aide Lere Olayinka, stated that he had no regrets about not being picked as Atiku’s running mate. Instead, he doubled down on his opposition to Atiku’s political aspirations, vowing to ensure that the former vice president continues to face electoral defeats.
In a post via X (formerly Twitter), 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.”
A Deepening Political Feud
The latest exchange between Wike and Atiku highlights the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP, which has struggled to regain cohesion following the 2023 election loss.
Wike, a prominent figure within the party, has since taken up a key role in President Tinubu’s administration, further fueling speculation about his shifting political alliances. His influence in Rivers State and beyond makes him a formidable force in any electoral contest, particularly against Atiku, who has been a longtime presidential contender.
As the battle for political dominance intensifies, the rift between Wike and Atiku may continue to shape the future of the PDP, potentially affecting the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
