Lere Olayinka Accuses Atiku Of Misrepresenting 2023 VP Selection

Lere Olayinka Accuses Atiku Of Misrepresenting 2023 VP Selection

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for distorting the facts surrounding the selection of a running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement released on Saturday, Olayinka rejected Atiku’s assertion that the committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ranked former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the top choice for the Vice-Presidential position. Atiku had claimed that the PDP committee ranked Okowa first, Wike second, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel third, and that he chose Okowa based on this ranking…READ MORE…

Atiku had stated, “In 2023, I instructed the party to form a committee to recommend three names. The committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike second, and Udom Emmanuel third. So, I chose the number one.”

However, Olayinka strongly disputed this account, asserting that the committee overwhelmingly favored Wike, who received 13 votes, compared to Okowa’s two. He further criticized Atiku for making these claims during the holy month of Ramadan, referencing an Islamic teaching that condemns falsehood.

Olayinka quoted a Hadith from Al-Bukhari: “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.”

He continued, “Atiku chose to lie so openly during Ramadan, forgetting that Allah (SWT) does not accept the prayers of liars, which could explain his repeated failures in his pursuit of the presidency.”

Olayinka insisted that the truth was that the PDP committee had chosen Wike as Atiku’s running mate, but for reasons unknown to others, Atiku ultimately selected Okowa, who only received two votes from the committee. He called on Atiku to acknowledge the truth instead of fabricating a false narrative.

Additionally, Olayinka emphasized that Wike bore no ill will regarding Atiku’s decision. “Wike never actively sought the vice-presidential slot—Atiku did, and Wike agreed under certain conditions. Nonetheless, Wike has moved past the 2023 election and remains steadfast in the decisions he made,” he concluded.