The Story Of Their 3 Year Fight
Alhaji Abubakar Atiku & Nyeson Wike don’t see eye to eye. They have been at war since 2022 when both were members of the PDP. Today, Atiku is in ADC and Wike has remained in the PDP. For the past 3 years both have been engaged in a big battle in PDP, and Wike’s hostility is one of the reasons Atiku decamped. What is the cause of their fight? Fresh developments have emerged regarding the ongoing conflict between Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and current FCT minister, and Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President. This feud has severely impacted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leading to Atiku’s defection to the African Democratic Party as he plans to run for President in 2027.
It’s important to remember that Wike finished second in the 2022 PDP presidential primaries behind Atiku who was elected as the party’s flag-bearer in Abuja in 2022. The rift between the two deepened when Atiku chose former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate instead of Wike, who had reportedly been recommended by several members of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).
In 2019, their relationship was strong, largely due to Wike’s significant financial support for the party under the leadership of Uche Secondus. However, shortly after Atiku won the party’s primary, tensions escalated, leading to animosity between them. Wike has since been vocally critical of Atiku, even asserting control of the party, which ultimately pushed Atiku to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Many have wondered why Wike continues to attack Atiku. What transpired between them? A few weeks ago, a prominent PDP chieftain Chief Ulasi, revealed that after the 2019 general election, the PDP faced significant turmoil, and many key politicians, including Atiku, fled. Wike remained and took on the responsibility of financing the party, supporting its operations across all 36 states and the FCT. Wike even paid salaries for party staff in some states.
However, as the next election approached, Atiku returned, asserting his desire to run for President under the PDP banner. This situation marked the beginning of their conflict. Wike felt slighted and misunderstood, particularly when he stated that if the presidency was heading to the North, the party chair should come from the South. He was unhappy about how his comments were portrayed, leading to further resentment.
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose recently shared insights with a journalist, indicating that after the PDP primary elections, Wike had been consulted and was promised the Vice Presidency. Fayose noted the internal issues within the PDP, likening its problems to a self-inflicted ailment. When the primary concluded and Atiku requested a meeting with Wike, he initially refused to see him. However, others persuaded him, highlighting Wike as a respected leader despite his youth.
During their meeting, Atiku assured Wike that although others wanted to exclude him as a potential Vice President, he was the candidate he could count on. They reportedly accepted money from Wike during the screening process for those contesting the Vice Presidency, only to choose someone else. This decision ultimately triggered the crisis within the PDP.
To further support the claim that Atiku betrayed Wike, the spokesperson for the FCT Minister stated in a 2022 release that it was necessary to set the record straight and debunk Atiku’s falsehoods. The spokesperson insisted that “Wike never put himself forward to be Atiku’s running mate; Atiku proposed it himself, and Wike accepted the offer with conditions.”
Olayinka highlighted that according to the committee report, Wike received 13 votes while Okowa only received two. He said: “The committee established by the PDP chose Wike as Atiku’s running mate. However, for reasons known only to him, Atiku opted for Okowa, who had received only two votes from the committee members. That is the truth Atiku should acknowledge, rather than attempting to distort his decision with lies.”
Olayinka also pointed out that for devout Muslims, the month of Ramadan is a time of holiness. He referenced a saying reported by Al-Bukhari (1903, 6057) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), stating that the 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.”
He noted, “Unfortunately, Atiku chose to speak lies so openly during the sacred month of Ramadan, seemingly forgetting that Allah (SWT) does not accept the prayers of liars. This might explain why he has continually failed in his desperate pursuit of the presidency in Nigeria.”
While advising Atiku to always be truthful and stand by his decisions, Olayinka emphasized that the FCT Minister is no longer interested in the events surrounding the 2023 presidential election.
“As I mentioned earlier, Wike has no regrets about Atiku not selecting him as his running mate, nor does he regret the stance he took regarding the presidential election,” he said.
