Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has shed more light on his decision to pick former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate over Nyesom Wike.
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on Saturday, Atiku addressed recent remarks from Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, which he described as an “emotional outburst.”
The statement, titled “Learning Without Character Is Equal to Zero,” responded to Wike’s claim that he secured 13 votes from a selection committee tasked with recommending a vice-presidential candidate, while Okowa had only two.
Atiku’s camp noted that while consultations and recommendations were part of the selection process, they were not binding. “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 in nature. The final decision rests solely and exclusively with the presidential candidate,” the statement read.
Addressing Wike’s reported votes, Atiku’s media team questioned the significance of numbers when character is lacking. “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?” the statement continued.
Atiku’s team further noted that leadership goes beyond popularity or numbers, emphasizing qualities such as composure, dignity, and the ability to unify people. They defended Okowa’s selection, stating that it was based on his intellect, temperament, and statesmanship.
The statement also referenced Wike’s conduct both as Governor of Rivers State and in his current role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), arguing that his public actions justified the decision to exclude him from the ticket. “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,” it added.
Atiku’s media office also cautioned Wike and his team against using religious observances such as Ramadan and Lent for political attacks. “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,” the statement advised.
The statement ended with a call for unity within the PDP and a focus on rebuilding the country rather than dwelling on past political disagreements. “The task of rebuilding our party and our nation is a serious one. It is time to move beyond bruised egos and focus on what truly matters: the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its people.”
Atiku and Wike have had a strained political relationship, particularly after the 2023 election, where Wike openly opposed Atiku’s candidacy despite being a member of the PDP.
