Again, Atiku Slams Wike: “I Rejected You Because You Are Agent Of Division, Lack National Appeal”

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday March, 29 ,2025 further justified his decision to snub Nyesom Wike as his running mate in the count down to the 2023 Presidential Election.

The Source reports that Atiku had opted for former Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

Addressing the issue first on Friday, March 28, Abubakar expressed no regret over the  decision he made, insisting that a Committee had recommended Okowa  ahead of Wike and then Governor of Akwa Ibom State Udom Emmanuel.

However ,the comment did not go down  well with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, who lashed the former Vice President over alleged misrepresentation of facts .

Wike, in a statement through his Media Aide on Friday, also noted that he had no regret being shunned  by the PDP Presidential Candidate.

He expressed happiness for his role in truncating the ambition of the former Vice  President to  govern the Country .

The former Rivers State Governor similarly pledged to do same again should Abubakar venture into the Presidential Race in 2027 .

But in a statement from his Media office on Saturday, the former Vice President noted that Wike was rejected because of his unsuitability for the position in terms of National appeal.

According to Abubakar, Wike’s choice was not good for a ticket that was intended to promote national unity.

He explained that Wike’s behaviour both in Abuja and in general has lent credence to their conclusion that his presence would have  bred  national division.

Abubakar noted that Dr Okowa was chosen due to his high intellect, composure and statesmanship.

The PDP Presidential Candidate emphasized the pre-eminence of good conduct, humility and decorum in political considerations.

Following is the full text of Atiku Abubakar’s press statement.

“The attention of Atiku Media Office has been drawn to yet another emotional outburst disguised as a press statement from the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, issued by his aide, Lere Olayinka.

“While we understand that bitterness often finds expression in misplaced aggression, we must remind Mr. Wike and his team that a bitter heart isn’t capable of charity, nor does it inspire unity, healing, or truth.

“Once again, facts have been twisted in a desperate attempt to rewrite history. Mr. Wike, through his spokesperson, claims that he had 13 votes from a Committee set up to recommend a Vice Presidential Running Mate, while Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had only two. Let us be clear: there are no laid down rules or laws on the selection process of a Running Mate. Committees, consultations, and recommendations are advisory. The final decision rests solely and exclusively with the Presidential Candidate, in this case, Atiku Abubakar. It is a constitutional and strategic choice, not a popularity contest.

“Assuming, but not conceding that Wike had 13 votes and Okowa had 2 — just like Universities confer degrees in learning and in character — one must ask: what is the worth of votes if character scores a zero? Leadership is not only about numbers; it is about temperament, dignity, and the ability to unify. A man may boast of numbers, but if his conduct lacks grace and humility, those numbers are empty.”

Atiku emphasised that it is time to put aside wounded egos and concentrate on Nigeria’s future and the welfare of its people.

“We make no apologies for choosing Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate in 2023. That decision was based on a combination of intellect, composure, and statesmanship.

“We have been vindicated by Mr. Wike’s public conduct in Rivers State, where he once served as Governor, and in Abuja since becoming FCT Minister, which has made it abundantly clear why he was unsuitable for the role of Vice President in a ticket meant to unify, not divide.

“We urge Mr. Wike and his social media spokesperson to resist the temptation to sermonize about religious piety during Ramadan and Lent, too, while simultaneously fanning the flames of discord. Let us not reduce sacred periods to a tool for petty political jabs.”