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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will ensure former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, fails in any future attempt to become Nigeria’s president.

Wike’s statement was conveyed through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, in response to Atiku’s recent remarks about his choice of a running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

During an interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, Atiku stated that he had “no regrets” about not selecting Wike as his running mate in the 2023 election. This comment reignited tensions between the two political figures, whose rivalry dates back to the 2022 PDP presidential primaries.

After losing the PDP ticket to Atiku, Wike expected to be named the vice-presidential candidate, but Atiku instead chose former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Defending his decision, Atiku explained that he had consulted widely and allowed the party to set up a committee to recommend three candidates. According to him, the committee ranked Okowa first, Wike second, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel third.

“They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate, so in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names,” Atiku said. “So I picked number one.”

In response, Olayinka stated that Wike had no regrets about the decision and would continue to work against Atiku’s presidential ambitions.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Olayinka wrote, “Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.

“Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again.”

With this latest exchange, the rift between Atiku and Wike appears to be widening, raising questions about the future of the PDP and its chances in the next presidential election.