Exclusive: Atiku Opens Up On The Shocking Reason Behind Rejecting Wike As Running Mate

In an exclusive interview set to air today on the television show Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, which was obtained by Daily Trust, Atiku addressed questions surrounding the leadership turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that followed his decision. Many analysts speculated that Atiku’s refusal to choose Wike—who led a rebellion within the PDP alongside five other governors—played a role in his election loss. Wike later boasted about undermining Atiku and securing Rivers State for President Bola Tinubu.

When asked if he regretted not picking Wike, Atiku firmly responded, “No, not at all.”

He explained that his decision was based on a more inclusive process within the party, recalling the criticism he faced in 2019 for allegedly not consulting widely when selecting Peter Obi as his running mate. Atiku revealed that after securing the PDP ticket in Port Harcourt, he consulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who recommended selecting a running mate from the South-East rather than the South-West.

Obasanjo suggested names like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Charles Soludo, but neither were members of the PDP. Ultimately, Atiku chose Peter Obi, a party member, also recommended by Obasanjo. After consulting with party leaders and governors—including Wike and Aminu Tambuwal—Atiku confirmed there were no objections to Obi being chosen as his running mate. However, he was later criticized for not consulting enough within the party.

In 2023, Atiku decided to involve the party more in the selection process, asking them to form a committee to propose three potential running mates. The committee suggested Ifeanyi Okowa as the first choice, Wike as the second, and Udom Emmanuel as the third.

Atiku ultimately chose Okowa, explaining that Wike was simply the second choice on the list.