THE running verbal exchange between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike over the former’s choice of a running mate as PDP candidate in the 2023 presidential election continued yesterday.
The two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party had fallen apart after the presidential primaries of the PDP in the build-up to the 2023 elections, following which Atiku chose former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate ahead of Wike, the then governor of Rivers State, who came second to Atiku at the primaries.
Atiku had explained his choice of Okowa at the time, saying that he opted for the former Delta State governor not only because he was someone he could work with but also because he had the potential to become president.
In a recent interview, however, Atiku gave a different reason for choosing Okowa as running mate, saying that his choice was based on the recommendation of the committee set up by the party for that purpose.
Wike, however, described Atiku’s latest claim as false, accusing the former vice president of lying during the holy month of Ramadan.
The FCT Minister, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said it was unfortunate that Atiku could not respect the holy month of Ramadan and avoid telling lies, wondering how a committee would present a candidate with two votes as first choice ahead of one who had 13 votes.
“Wike never put himself forward to be Atiku’s running mate then. Atiku did by himself, and he (Wike) accepted his offer with conditions,” Olayinka said.
He said it was a fact that in the committee report, Wike had 13 votes while Okowa had two.
“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,” he said.
Olayinka, who noted that for devout Muslims the period of Ramadan is that of holiness, said: “Al-Bukhaari (1903, 6057) quoted Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) as saying that Holy Prophet Muhammad (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.”
While advising Atiku to always be honest to stand by his decisions, Olayinka said the FCT Minister was no longer interested in what happened or what did not happen concerning the 2023 presidential election.
“Like I said earlier, Wike has no regrets for Atiku not picking him as his running mate, and he also has no regrets taking the position he took concerning the presidential election,” he said.
Responding to Wike in a statement, the Atiku Media Office accused the Wike camp of trying to rewrite history, saying its attention had been drawn to yet another emotional outburst disguised as a press statement from the FCT Minister’s camp.
It said: “While we understand that bitterness often finds expression in misplaced aggression, we must remind Mr. Wike and his team that a bitter heart isn’t capable of charity, nor does it inspire unity, healing, or truth.
“Once again, facts have been twisted in a desperate attempt to rewrite history. Mr. Wike, through his spokesperson, claims that he had 13 votes from a committee set up to recommend a vice presidential running mate, while Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had only two.
“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, in this case, Atiku Abubakar.
“It is a constitutional and strategic choice, not a popularity contest.
“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?
“Leadership is not only about numbers; it is about temperament, dignity, and the ability to unify.
“A man may boast of numbers, but if his conduct lacks grace and humility, those numbers are empty.
“We make no apologies for choosing Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate in 2023. That decision was based on a combination of intellect, composure and statesmanship.
“We have been vindicated by 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.
“We urge Mr. Wike and his social media spokesperson to resist the temptation to sermonise 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 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!”