Why I chose Okowa over Wike as my running mate in 2023 election – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated that he has no regrets about not selecting Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

In an upcoming interview on Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, set to air today but obtained by Daily Trust, Atiku addressed the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that followed his choice of running mate.

Many political observers believe that overlooking Wike—who later spearheaded a rebellion within the PDP alongside five other governors—played a role in Atiku’s electoral defeat. Wike himself later admitted to working against Atiku and ensuring that Rivers State supported President Bola Tinubu instead.

However, when asked if he regretted his decision, Atiku firmly responded, “No, not at all.”

He explained that his choice was based on a structured process within the party, recalling criticism from 2019 when he picked Peter Obi as his running mate without broader consultation. At the time, after winning the PDP ticket in Port Harcourt, Atiku consulted with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who advised him to select a candidate from the South-East rather than the South-West.

Obasanjo reportedly suggested names such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Charles Soludo, but since neither were PDP members, Atiku ultimately chose Peter Obi. Despite consulting with party leaders, including Wike and Aminu Tambuwal, he was later criticized for insufficient consultation.

To avoid similar controversy in 2023, Atiku said he allowed the party to play a greater role in the selection process. A committee was set up to recommend three candidates, and they listed Ifeanyi Okowa as the first choice, Wike as the second, and Udom Emmanuel as the third.

Atiku maintained that he simply went with the committee’s top recommendation, Ifeanyi Okowa, and that Wike’s exclusion was based on merit, not personal bias.