By Mohammed Bello Doka
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he has “no regrets” for bypassing Nyesom Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election, a decision that deepened the rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ultimately contributed to his loss.
In an interview for Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, set to air today, Atiku bluntly defended his choice of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over Wike, who was then the Rivers State governor.
“They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi. So in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names. Okowa was number one, Wike was number two. I picked number one,” Atiku stated.
When pressed on whether he regretted the decision, his response was emphatic: “No, not at all.”
The Atiku-Wike feud dates back to the bruising PDP primaries of 2022, where Wike aggressively pursued the party’s ticket but lost to Atiku. His expectation of being compensated with the vice-presidential slot was dashed, leading to a bitter fallout.
Wike’s defiance was soon evident. He openly courted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and played a pivotal role in undermining Atiku’s campaign. His reward came when President Bola Tinubu appointed him Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), effectively sealing his shift in loyalty.
Despite the ongoing PDP crisis, Atiku remains focused on another shot at the presidency in 2027, while Wike continues to consolidate power within Tinubu’s administration. The battle lines are drawn, and the political drama is far from over.