Atiku’s 2027 Ambition Will Be Shot Down By Wike – FCT Minister’s Aide

By Adesina Soyooye

Any ambition being harboured by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, against 2027 Presidential Election will never materialise; it will not see the light of the day; it will fail. That is the message conveyed to Atiku, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Nyesom Wike.

Wike spoke through his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, in response to Atiku’s comment of having no regret in not picking Wike, in 2023, as his running mate.

In an interview made public on Wednesday, Atiku revealed why he did not pick Wike in 2023. He explained that after he was accused of not making consultations when he picked Peter Obi in 2019 as his running mate, he decided to throw the choice open to the Party. He also disclosed that contrary to the belief that Wike came first in the choice of candidates recommended by the Committee set up by the Party to pick his running mate, the then Governor of Rivers State came second. He said the Committee headed by the then Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, incidentally, a Wike ally, rated the then Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, above Wike. Okowa was placed first, Wike second, and then Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, third.

Atiku said he only picked the person who came first – Okowa – but emphasised that he had no regret not picking Wike.

However, not a few people felt, and still feel, that not picking Wike was the beginning of the crisis which engulfed the PDP, and from which it has not still recovered. They also believe that it cost the PDP and Atiku the Presidency, a belief which Wike’s Aide confirmed in his response to Atiku.

Reacting to Atiku’s comment of having no regret in not picking Wike as his running mate, Olayinka said that his Principal also had no regret in ensuring that Atiku failed in his Presidential bid. He added that the decision was what cost Atiku the Presidency in 2023, and promised that if Atiku dares in 2027, he will be blocked again by Wike.

Olayinka: “Two years after making the @OfficialPDPZNig 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.”

However, many are, also, of the opinion that the main reason Atiku failed was the emergence of Peter Obi and his very strong showing in the election as the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party.