Atiku Reveals Why He Passed Over Wike for 2023 Vice Presidential Slot Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shed light on the reasons behind his decision to overlook Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). LMSINT MEDIA recalls that Wike lost the PDP presidential primaries to Atiku, and many political analysts speculated that he would be selected as the vice-presidential candidate. However, Atiku ultimately chose Ifeanyi Okowa, the former Governor of Delta State, instead. The Decision That Sparked Political Tensions Atiku’s choice of Okowa over Wike reportedly fueled the ongoing political rift between the two politicians. Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was seen by many PDP stakeholders as a strong contender for the vice-presidential slot. In an exclusive interview for the television program “Untold Stories” with journalist Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, Atiku addressed the controversy surrounding his selection process. The interview, scheduled to air today, delves into his approach to choosing a running mate. Why Atiku Chose Okowa Over Wike Recalling the 2019 election, Atiku stated that he faced criticism for picking Peter Obi as his running mate without extensive consultation within the party. Learning from that experience, he decided to involve the PDP leadership in the 2023 selection process. “They said I did not consult with the party enough. So in 2023, I threw the whole thing to the party. I said, ‘Okay, set up a committee and recommend three people for me to pick as a running mate,’” Atiku explained. According to him, the PDP committee presented three names: Atiku emphasized that his decision was purely based on the committee’s ranking, stating: “So I picked number one.” No Regrets Over His Decision Despite the political fallout from his choice, Atiku remains firm in his stance. When asked if he had any regrets about not selecting Wike, he responded: “No, not at all.” For more insights into Nigeria’s political landscape, visit Premium Times – a trusted source for political analysis and updates. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
National Assembly Plans Electoral Act Amendment to Reinstate Statutory Delegates The National Assembly has initiated steps to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, aiming to restore the participation of statutory delegates in political party primaries. This development was disclosed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership in Abuja. According to Akpabio, the exclusion of statutory delegates in the 2022 primaries was an unintended error that must be rectified before the next general elections. The Need for Amendment: Addressing Electoral Law Deficiencies During his address, Akpabio explained that the 2022 amendment inadvertently sidelined statutory delegates, creating what he described as “super-delegates” in the election process. “There were defects in the last Electoral Act, and we need to fix them. The omission of statutory delegates, including the president, vice president, governors, senators, and other key political figures, limited participation in party primaries. Democracy thrives on numbers, and we must ensure an inclusive process,” he stated. Akpabio further noted that the exclusion affected thousands of party members at the local, state, and national levels, weakening the democratic selection process. Additionally, he pointed out the overreaching power given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in deciding candidates, arguing that political parties should have greater autonomy in candidate selection. “INEC seemed to have become the final arbiter on who qualifies as a candidate. Political parties should have the authority to select candidates based on their manifestos, integrity, and ability to serve the people,” Akpabio added. NBA Calls for Legal Reforms In response, NBA National President Afam Osigwe (SAN) urged the Senate to use the ongoing constitutional amendment process to reform the justice sector. He cited an example of quacks in the legal profession, referencing a case in the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos in the 1990s where a person falsely claimed to be a lawyer. Osigwe’s call aligns with broader legal reforms aimed at enhancing judicial integrity and ensuring professional accountability in the legal profession. What’s Next? The Path to Electoral Reforms With growing concerns over electoral integrity, the proposed amendment is expected to enhance transparency and inclusivity in Nigeria’s electoral process. As legislative discussions progress, stakeholders will closely monitor how the changes will shape future elections. This blog post is fully optimized for Rank Math SEO, ensuring high visibility, reader engagement, and search engine indexing. Let me know if you need further refinements! ? READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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Former Imo Governor Achike Udenwa on Election Manipulation in Nigeria Achike Udenwa, a former governor of Imo State, has made a shocking revelation about the electoral process in Nigeria. He asserted that politicians with substantial financial resources could manipulate elections by purchasing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and the army to secure victory. Speaking on State Affairs, a political podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, Udenwa lamented the decline in Nigeria’s democratic values. He stated that voters no longer scrutinize the backgrounds, integrity, and competence of candidates before supporting them. “Our society has deteriorated to the point where people no longer ask politicians about their past records, character, or leadership abilities. Instead, if a candidate has enough money, they can simply buy their way to victory,” Udenwa said. Elections in Nigeria Are Bought, Not Won – Udenwa When asked whether politicians could influence INEC, security agencies, and voters through financial incentives, Udenwa responded emphatically: “You can buy everybody.” He expressed concerns over the commercialization of elections, warning that if left unchecked, the practice could prevent credible leaders from emerging. He called for electoral reforms to restore fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s democratic system. APC Involvement in PDP Crisis Udenwa, who is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, also commented on the ongoing crisis within his party. While acknowledging PDP’s internal challenges, he accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exacerbating the situation through external interference. “There are external forces working against the PDP, trying to destabilize it from within. We are still battling the crisis, and I believe PDP will survive,” he stated. Although Udenwa refrained from naming individuals allegedly used by the APC to create disunity within the PDP, he insisted that the opposition party was aware of the ruling party’s involvement. Urgent Need for Electoral Reforms The former governor’s revelations underscore the urgent need for electoral reforms in Nigeria. Strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring financial transparency in campaigns, and enforcing stricter penalties for electoral malpractice are essential to safeguarding the country’s democracy. For more insights into Nigeria’s electoral process and reforms, visit Premium Times for in-depth political analysis. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
