Wike’s aide: Atiku lied over Okowa’s selection as running mate in 2023 election

Lere Olayinka, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, has described as false, a claim by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party to select the PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election rated former Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as the party’s first choice.

Olayinka, who said it was unfortunate that Atiku could not respect the holy month of Ramadan and avoid telling lies, asked how a committee will present the person who had two votes as first choice as against the person who had 13 votes.

“In 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names. The committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel in third. So I picked number one,” Atiku, who was the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, had said in a recent interview.

Reacting via a statement on Saturday, March 29, 2025, the FCT Minister’s spokesperson said it became necessary to put the records straight, hence the need to debunk Atiku’s “lies”.

Olayinka said: “Wike never put himself forward to be Atiku’s running mate then, Atiku did by himself, and he (Wike) accepted his offer with conditions.

“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.

Atiku: Why I didn’t pick Wike as running mate in 2023 election

“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 Mohammed (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.’

“Unfortunate, Atiku chose to tell lies so brazenly during the holy month of Ramadan, obviously forgetting that Allah (SWT) do 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 Wike was no longer interested in what happened and what did not happen concerning the 2023 presidential election.

“Like I said earlier, Wike has no regret for Atiku not picking him as his running mate and he also has no regret taking the position he took concerning the presidential election,” he added.

The Star