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:
- Ifeanyi Okowa – First Choice
- Nyesom Wike – Second Choice
- Udom Emmanuel – Third Choice
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.”
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