2023: Atiku Speaks On Meeting Wike Over Running Mate Saga

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said he is already reaching out to Governor Nyesom Wike over the internal wranglings in the party.

The former Vice President made this known in a chat with Arise TV on Friday and monitored by Naija News.

Recall that Atiku had picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election, despite the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) endorsing Wike for the role.

Due to the development, some aggrieved members had reportedly threatened defection, insisting that Wike should be picked as the party’s vice presidential candidate.

However, some PDP chieftains like Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State had said that Atiku should have contacted Wike before announcing Okowa as his running mate.

Speaking about resolving issues with Wike, Atiku assured party members that he will be meeting with Wike soon and the party’s internal crisis will be soon resolved.

Atiku described Wike as a brilliant politician who is courageous and tenacious, adding that the Rivers governor has a future in the political evolution of the country.

The PDP presidential candidate stated that he has not blamed anyone for his loss in the past presidential elections and would not succumb to the idea of a blame game.

He said: “We are reaching out to Governor Wike and we are talking with him and I believe very soon we will find a reconciliation. In fact, very soon, because we are talking to him.

“We are talking to his governor colleagues. I am very optimistic we are going to resolve our internal crisis and move on.”

He added: “I have contested this presidency a couple of times and I don’t try to blame anybody, I accept the outcome or go to court,”

Atiku also noted that he was driven by the passion to serve the country and his desire to contribute his quota to the development of the country.

“I’m driven by passion and desire to give back to this country, I’m driven by the passion to give back to this country because of what the country has done for me.

“With what I have been able to accomplish at my age, I don’t desire any other thing other than the passion to serve my country,” he said.