Atiku Abubakar Finally Explains Why He Chose Governor Okowa Over Nyesom Wike In 2023 Elections

• Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, has provided insight into his decision not to select Nyesom Wike as his running mate.

• According to Atiku, Wike's name was listed as the top option among the candidates proposed by a committee within the party.

• Ultimately, Atiku chose Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the former governor of Delta State, as his running mate

Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), clarified that he did not select Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as his running mate due to Wike being second on the shortlist provided. Atiku explained that a committee offered him a list of three governors from the South-South region to consider for this position.

The committee presented three names: Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, then-Governor of Delta State, as the first choice; Wike as the second; and Udom Emmanuel, then-Governor of Akwa Ibom State, as the third option.

Additionally, an associate of Wike stated that the PDP is not part of any coalition nor has it been invited to establish a coalition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Reports from Legit.ng also highlighted Atiku's disclosure regarding how the announced coalition will select its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. He noted that a similar coalition in 2014 resulted in the formation of the APC and subsequently led to the ousting of then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

As reported by Daily Trust, Atiku shared these insights during an unreleased interview for the television program "Untold Stories" with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie. He indicated that he formed the committee in response to previous criticism regarding a lack of consultation within the party when he chose Peter Obi as his running mate in the 2019 election. "They said I did not consult with the party enough. So in 2023, I opted to entrust the decision to the party, instructing them to assemble a committee to recommend three candidates for my consideration. Thus, I chose the first on the list."

In related developments, it was reported by Legit.ng that former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently met with Atiku and Peter Obi during a colloquium honoring the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo State.