Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his decision not to select Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election. Atiku insisted that he has no regrets over the decision, despite the leadership crisis it triggered within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku made these revelations in a forthcoming interview on Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, which is set to air today. However, excerpts from the interview were obtained by Daily Trust, shedding light on the internal dynamics of the PDP leading up to the 2023 election.
Why Atiku Didn’t Pick Wike as Running Mate
Following Atiku’s emergence as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, political analysts speculated that his failure to choose Wike as his running mate contributed to his defeat. Wike, who was the Governor of Rivers State at the time, had led a rebellion within the party, alongside five other governors, known as the G5 Governors.
Instead of backing Atiku, Wike openly worked against him and boasted about delivering Rivers State for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
When asked whether he regretted not picking Wike, Atiku responded emphatically:
“No, not at all.”
Atiku explained that his decision was based on due process and consultations within the party, unlike in 2019 when he was heavily criticized for choosing Peter Obi without broader party involvement.
Atiku’s 2019 Experience Shaped His 2023 Decision
Atiku recalled that after securing the PDP’s presidential ticket in 2019, he had sought counsel from former President Olusegun Obasanjo on who should be his running mate.
Obasanjo reportedly advised Atiku to pick a candidate from the South-East, considering the need for regional balance. He recommended Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Charles Soludo, but both were not members of the PDP at the time.
Eventually, Atiku settled for Peter Obi, a PDP member who was also endorsed by Obasanjo. However, after announcing Obi as his running mate, Atiku was criticized for not consulting enough within the party, leading to discontent among certain factions.
Determined to avoid a similar controversy in 2023, Atiku allowed the PDP to take the lead in selecting his running mate.
How Okowa Was Chosen Over Wike
To ensure party-wide participation in the decision-making process, Atiku asked the PDP to set up a committee to recommend three potential running mates.
According to Atiku, the committee proposed the following candidates:
- Ifeanyi Okowa (then Governor of Delta State) – First Choice
- Nyesom Wike (then Governor of Rivers State) – Second Choice
- Udom Emmanuel (then Governor of Akwa Ibom State) – Third Choice
Since Okowa was the top recommendation, Atiku chose him as his running mate.
Atiku clarified that his decision was not a snub against Wike, but simply a matter of following the party’s structured process.
“Wike was the second choice on the list. Okowa was the first choice. So, I picked the first choice, simple.”
Wike’s Rebellion and the Fallout in PDP
After being overlooked as Atiku’s running mate, Wike became one of Atiku’s biggest critics within the PDP. Alongside the G5 Governors, Wike demanded that the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, resign, arguing that both the PDP’s presidential candidate (Atiku) and the chairman were from the North.
When Ayu refused to step down, Wike and his allies withheld support from Atiku in the presidential election.
After the election, Wike publicly admitted to working against Atiku and supporting Tinubu, a move that was seen as a betrayal of the PDP.
Wike’s defection to the APC-led government was sealed when President Tinubu appointed him as the FCT Minister, despite Wike’s insistence that he remains a PDP member.
Did Atiku’s Decision Cost Him the Election?
Political analysts have debated whether picking Wike as his running mate could have changed Atiku’s fortunes in the 2023 election.
Many believe that Wike’s influence in Rivers State and the South-South could have helped Atiku secure more votes, especially considering that the region is traditionally a PDP stronghold.
However, some argue that Wike’s selection would not have guaranteed victory, as internal divisions within the PDP were already deep-seated.
Atiku, however, remains unapologetic about his choice, maintaining that he did what was best for the party and followed due process.
Conclusion: A Political Rift That May Never Heal?
Atiku’s revelations shed new light on the deep divisions within the PDP, showing how internal power struggles influenced the 2023 election outcome.
With Wike now serving under the APC government, it remains unclear whether the PDP can recover from the cracks that emerged before the election.
For Atiku, however, his decision to pick Okowa over Wike was the right one—and he stands by it.
The big question remains: Will Atiku and Wike ever reconcile, or is their political rivalry permanent? Only time will tell.
