Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, has accused former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, of distorting facts regarding the selection of a running mate for the 2023 Presidential election.
Olayinka, in a statement on Saturday, described as false Atiku’s claim that the committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party rated former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the top choice for the Vice-Presidential slot.
According to Atiku, the PDP committee had ranked Okowa first, Wike second, and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, third, leading him to pick Okowa as his running mate.
“So 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”, the former VP had said.
However, Olayinka dismissed this narrative, insisting that the committee overwhelmingly favored Wike, with 13 votes compared to Okowa’s two, while also criticising Atiku for making such claims during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, referencing an Islamic teaching against falsehood.
“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.’
“Unfortunately, Atiku chose to tell lies so brazenly during the holy month of Ramadan, obviously forgetting that Allah (SWT) does not hearken to the prayers of liars, probably the reason he (Atiku) has continually failed in his desperation to be president of Nigeria.
“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.”, the statement read.
Olayinka further emphasised that Wike harboured no regrets about Atiku’s decision, despite the controversy
“Wike never put himself forward as a running mate—Atiku did, and he (Wike) accepted under certain conditions. Regardless, Wike has moved on from the 2023 election and stands by every decision he made,” he added.
