Wike’s Camp Slams Atiku Over Character and Integrity Claims

A fresh wave of political controversy has erupted between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. At the center of the storm is a statement by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, who declared that it was “too late” for Atiku to buy the character and integrity that he allegedly lacked from birth.

Olayinka’s comments were in response to a statement by the Atiku Media Office, which claimed that the rejection of the decision made by the committee set up by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to select a Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 election was based on character. He further accused Atiku of failing to embody the values he now preaches, questioning his moral standing in Nigerian politics.

Obasanjo’s Scathing Remarks on Atiku Resurface

In his criticism, Olayinka referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch, where he made damning remarks about Atiku’s personality and credibility. He recalled that Obasanjo, under whom Atiku served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, had described him as a “blatant and shameless liar.”

According to Olayinka, “One of the reasons Wike initially rejected Atiku’s offer to serve as his running mate was his unimpressive character and integrity rating. It was only after much persuasion that he reconsidered. Even then, Atiku ultimately disregarded the PDP committee’s decision and chose Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, a move that contradicted his earlier promise to abide by the committee’s decision.”

Olayinka also stressed that despite the grave allegations made against Atiku by Obasanjo, the former Vice President had never openly debunked them. He quoted Obasanjo’s book, which accused Atiku of corruption, disloyalty, poor judgment, and an excessive reliance on wealth to secure political power.

Wike’s Reputation vs. Atiku’s Political Maneuvering

Drawing comparisons between Wike and Atiku, Olayinka asserted that unlike Atiku, Wike is a politician who remains steadfast and transparent in his views. “Wike does not hide or pretend where he stands on issues. He does not delete tweets after making public statements. His position on the 2023 election was clear, and he will maintain the same honesty when the 2027 election approaches.”

Olayinka painted Atiku as a politician who shifts positions based on convenience, emphasizing that Atiku should focus on being “truthful and reliable” rather than being desperate for power. He added that Atiku’s political inconsistencies have been evident throughout his career, making his calls for character and integrity seem hypocritical.

The PDP Vice Presidential Selection Controversy

The PDP’s 2023 Vice Presidential selection process became a contentious issue when Atiku allegedly overruled the party’s decision to choose Wike. The selection committee had reportedly favored Wike as the best choice, but Atiku eventually selected Ifeanyi Okowa, the former Governor of Delta State, as his running mate.

Atiku’s media office justified the decision by stating that character played a role in the final choice. However, Wike’s camp has now turned the argument against him, questioning how Atiku, who has been accused of lacking integrity by his former boss, can now claim to prioritize character in decision-making.

Implications for 2027 and PDP’s Future

This latest spat between Atiku and Wike’s camp raises questions about the internal cohesion of the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike, who played a critical role in the party’s 2023 campaign despite being sidelined in the Vice Presidential selection, is expected to remain a key political figure in future contests.

Atiku, on the other hand, faces the challenge of maintaining relevance within the opposition party while defending his political reputation. As the PDP navigates these internal conflicts, the battle for credibility and trust within its leadership remains a major obstacle to its electoral prospects.

With the war of words intensifying, political observers will be watching closely to see how these clashes shape the dynamics of Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general election.