Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said he has “no regrets” for turning down Federal Capital Territory Minister and former governor, Nyesom Wike, as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku, who lost the keenly contested election to President Bola Tinubu, revealed this in an interview for Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, set to air today.
The fall out between Atiku and Wike can be traced back to the bruising PDP primaries of 2022, when Wike, then the governor of Rivers State, aggressively sought the party’s ticket but was edged out by Atiku.
After losing out in the race, Wike expected to be compensated with the vice-presidential slot. Instead, Atiku picked former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a decision that many believe sowed the seeds of discontent that fractured the PDP.
Insiders within the party have long accused Wike of working against Atiku’s candidacy in the 2023 election, a claim bolstered by his open romance with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his eventual appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Tinubu’s government.
Addressing why he chose Okowa over Wike, Atiku revealed that he deliberately left the decision to the PDP.
“They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate,” Atiku stated. “So in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names.”
According to him, the committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in third.
“So I picked number one,” he said bluntly.
When asked if he had any regrets about his decision, Atiku was unapologetic.
“No, not at all,” he responded.
Wike, known for his combative style, has repeatedly dismissed Atiku’s leadership, openly challenging the PDP hierarchy and forging alliances outside the party.
His defection in spirit, if not in name, was a significant factor in Atiku’s defeat, with the former Rivers governor and his G5 allies refusing to back the PDP flag bearer.
The unresolved PDP crisis continues to haunt the opposition party, as Wike consolidates power within Tinubu’s administration while Atiku eyes yet another shot at the presidency in 2027.
