Atiku Claims Are False, Wike Never Sought To Be Running Mate In 2023 – Lere Olayinka

Atiku Claims Are False, Wike Never Sought To Be Running Mate In 2023 – Lere Olayinka

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has refuted claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, regarding the selection process for the 2023 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate. Atiku had stated that the selection committee ranked former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as the top choice, with Nyesom Wike in second place…READ MORE…

Olayinka has dismissed this assertion as untrue, insisting that Wike never expressed any desire to be Atiku’s running mate in the first place.

Olayinka expressed disappointment that Atiku made these claims during the holy month of Ramadan, calling them a clear falsehood. He questioned how a committee could place someone with just two votes, like Okowa, ahead of Wike, who had 13 votes, as the first choice.

Atiku had previously stated, “In 2023, I instructed the party (PDP) to form a committee to propose three names. The committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, followed by Wike in second place, and former Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom in third. I chose the number one candidate.”

In response, Olayinka clarified that the committee actually recommended Wike as Atiku’s running mate, but for reasons known only to Atiku, he chose Okowa, who had only two votes. Olayinka stressed that the committee’s report clearly reflected that Wike had 13 votes, and it was Atiku’s personal decision to opt for Okowa despite Wike’s stronger support.

Olayinka further criticized Atiku’s remarks, noting that, for devout Muslims, Ramadan is a period of holiness, during which falsehoods should be avoided. Citing a saying from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he emphasized that those who indulge in false speech during Ramadan are not fulfilling the spiritual requirements of the month.

He suggested that Atiku’s repeated dishonesty might be the reason for his continued failure to secure the presidency, and urged him to be truthful about his decisions.

Concluding his statement, Olayinka emphasized that Wike had no regrets regarding Atiku’s choice for running mate or his stance on the 2023 presidential election.