Wike Accuses Atiku Of Lying About Okowa’s Choice As Running Mate In 2023 Election During Ramadan
Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, issued a statement on Sunday in Abuja, denying Atiku’s claims that he had chosen former Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa based on the recommendations of a committee formed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of lying about the selection process of his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, issued a statement on Sunday in Abuja, denying Atiku’s claims that he had chosen former Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa based on the recommendations of a committee formed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Olayinka stated that Wike never had an interest in being Atiku’s running mate due to the weight of baggage carried by the former Vice President.
He also reiterated that Wike had no regrets about opposing Atiku in the 2023 election.
“Report of the committee was released so as to set the records straight, and this has made Atiku and his men to confess that in selecting his running mate, he (Atiku) did not follow the report of the committee set up by the PDP.
“He simply picked who he wanted, not who the party wanted,” said Olayinka.
Olayinka also quoted a statement from Atiku’s Media Office, which confirmed that the final decision on the selection of a running mate rested solely with Atiku.
“By saying that ‘there were 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, in this case, Atiku Abubakar,’ Atiku’s Media Office has confirmed that their principal actually lied and never had any regard for the PDP as a party,” the statement said.
The statement went on to express satisfaction with the revelation that Atiku had ‘lied’ about the process.
“It therefore gladdens our hearts that we have been able to establish that Atiku lied and he is not a man to be trusted,” Olayinka added.
“That he chose to lie during the Holy Month of Ramadan is however between him and Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).”
Further in the statement, Olayinka emphasised that Atiku had the right to make his own choice of running mate, but it was essential that he take responsibility for his decision.
“He should be able to defend his choice and be honest for once to accept the consequences, not trying to misrepresent facts to justify the choice he made.”
In conclusion, Olayinka stated that Wike held no personal animosity towards Atiku for his failure in the election.
“No one is harbouring any personal ill-feeling against Atiku for failing with the choice he made, and no one should also harbour ill-feeling against Wike for succeeding with the choice he made,” he said.
Olayinka also pointed out that Atiku needed to clarify his political stance.
“It is necessary for Atiku to first come clear as to which party he belongs to now, because PDP has not formed a coalition with any political party.
“Most importantly, his penchant for seeking to contest the presidential election under any available party has remained PDP’s major albatross,” he said.
