Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of misrepresenting facts regarding how his running mate for the 2023 presidential election was chosen.
Olayinka issued a statement on Saturday disputing Atiku’s claim that a committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had ranked former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the preferred choice for the vice-presidential position. Atiku had previously stated that the committee ranked Okowa first, Wike second, and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, third, which led to his decision to pick Okowa.
“So in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names. 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,” Atiku had said.
However, Olayinka refuted this, insisting that the committee actually gave Wike the highest number of votes. He stated that Wike received 13 votes, while Okowa only managed two, yet Atiku still went ahead to choose Okowa for reasons best known to him. He criticized Atiku for allegedly twisting the facts, especially during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and referenced an Islamic teaching against dishonesty.
“Al-Bukhaari (1903, 6057) quoted Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) as saying that Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: ‘Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has no need of him giving up his food and drink.’
“Unfortunately, Atiku chose to tell lies so brazenly during the holy month of Ramadan, obviously forgetting that Allah (SWT) does not hearken to the prayers of liars, probably the reason he (Atiku) has continually failed in his desperation to be president of Nigeria.
“The committee set up by the PDP picked Wike as Atiku’s running mate, but for reasons best known to him, he settled for Okowa, who had two votes from the committee members. That’s the truth Atiku should tell and stand with, not trying to colour his decision with falsehood.”, the statement read.
Olayinka further emphasised that Wike harboured no regrets about Atiku’s decision, despite the controversy
“Wike never put himself forward as a running mate—Atiku did, and he (Wike) accepted under certain conditions. Regardless, Wike has moved on from the 2023 election and stands by every decision he made,” he added.
