There are speculations that Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and candidate for the post of President in the 2023 general election on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform, may have chosen Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as his running mate instead of Peter Obi.
In the 2019 general election, Atiku’s running partner was Obi, a former Anambra State governor and economist. Obi, a former banker and technocrat, brought flair and outstanding understanding of economic management to the 2019 electioneering rallies.
According to sources, Atiku’s decision to jettison Obi was motivated by his claimed lack of financial donations to the 2019 campaign budget, as well as his inability to win his home state of Anambra and the South East for the party in the presidential election.
“Prior to the 2019 election, Governor Peter Obi lacked a solid political organization outside of the South East.” People adored him because of his extensive grasp of the economy; nevertheless, winning an election transcends all of that.
Journalists were unable to corroborate the authenticity of Peter Obi’s charges since the message provided to his phone number had not been responded to as of press time.
However, the selection of Wike is already generating consternation inside the party, as many believed that Atiku-Peter Obi’s presidential ticket in 2023 would have done the trick, given their success in the 2019 general election.
There is also the belief that rather than losing out entirely in 2023, a vice-presidential position would be preferable for the Igbos. Those who share this opinion point to Atiku’s vow to lead Nigeria for only one four-year term if elected president in 2023 and to enable the election of an Igbo man.
The governor was claimed to have taken the opportunity to seek the support of his colleagues for the Atiku-Wike 2023 ticket; an issue that many in attendance were said to have kicked against, especially given the party’s shared view that the next president of Nigeria should come from the South East.