Paul Ibe, the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has accused Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, of prioritizing personal interests over the party’s collective objectives.
In a recent episode of Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast, Ibe criticized Wike’s actions, stating, “Wike has pursued his own agenda, which may not align with the PDP’s interests.”
Ibe’s remarks come amid growing political tension between Wike and Atiku, which reportedly led to Peter Obi’s departure from the party and his subsequent candidacy under the Labour Party.
Clarifying Atiku’s stance on Obi’s exit, Ibe emphasized that Atiku did not force Obi to leave the party, attributing Obi’s departure to various factors rather than personal relationships.
However, Ibe implicated Wike in Obi’s departure, alleging that Wike’s ambition to secure the presidency for the southern region led him to undermine efforts to zone the ticket to the South East, thus contributing to Obi’s exit.
Reflecting on the 2019 presidential election, Ibe acknowledged the strength of the Atiku-Obi ticket and suggested that the Labor Party’s performance in the recent polls diverted votes from the PDP.
Ibe urged all stakeholders, including Atiku, to reflect on past events and work towards unity, stating, “It’s time to examine what went wrong. Atiku has been advocating for opposition coalition as a strategy to challenge the ruling party.”
The ongoing rift between Atiku and Wike continues to divide the PDP, with both maintaining their respective factions within the party and pursuing conflicting agendas.
