'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The long-standing political rivalry between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has once again erupted into a war of words, with both camps exchanging sharp criticisms over the 2023 vice-presidential running mate selection process.
In a press statement issued on March 29, 2025, Atiku’s media office accused Wike of distorting facts about the selection process of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) vice-presidential candidate. The statement, titled “Learning Without Character Is Equal to Zero,” asserted that Wike’s claims of receiving 13 votes from a committee set up to recommend a running mate were irrelevant, as the final decision rested solely with Atiku.
“Atiku’s decision to pick Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was not a popularity contest but a strategic choice based on intellect, composure, and statesmanship,” the statement read. “Even if Wike had 13 votes and Okowa had two, leadership is not just about numbers—it is about character, temperament, and the ability to unify.”
Atiku’s camp further criticized Wike’s public conduct, claiming that his actions both as governor of Rivers State and as FCT Minister have vindicated the decision to overlook him for the role of Vice President. They called for an end to political bitterness, urging Wike and his supporters to focus on rebuilding the PDP rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.
However, Wike’s camp swiftly fired back through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka. In a counter-statement issued on March 30, 2025, Olayinka accused Atiku of lying about the selection process and failing to respect the party’s internal democratic mechanisms.
“Atiku’s media office has confirmed that their principal ignored the report of the committee set up by the PDP and instead made a personal choice,” Olayinka stated. “This admission exposes the falsehoods that Atiku and his men have been peddling.”
The statement also took a swipe at Atiku’s political history, questioning his loyalty to the PDP and suggesting that his repeated attempts to contest the presidency under different parties have weakened the party. Olayinka dismissed Atiku’s allegations of bitterness within Wike’s camp, stating that Wike had no regrets about his actions in the 2023 election and had moved on.
“As far as we are concerned, no one is harboring personal ill feelings against Atiku,” Olayinka continued. “But more than two years after, he is still trying to defend his failed choice with lies.”
The fresh exchange between Atiku and Wike underscores the deep divisions within the PDP, as both political heavyweights continue to jostle for influence ahead of future elections. While Atiku insists on the need for party unity, Wike’s camp remains adamant that the former Vice President’s approach to leadership and candidacy remains a major stumbling block for the PDP’s future.
As the battle of words intensifies, the question remains: Can the PDP reconcile these internal rifts, or will the party remain entangled in the personal conflicts of its top figures?
