In a fiery escalation of their long-standing rivalry, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has pledged to ensure that Atiku Abubakar, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, faces defeat in any future attempts to secure Nigeria’s presidency. Wike’s bold statement, delivered through his media aide Lere Olayinka on March 26, 2025, came as a direct retort to Atiku’s recent comments about his decision to bypass Wike as his running mate in the 2023 election. This exchange has reignited tensions within the PDP, exposing deep-seated divisions that continue to shape the party’s trajectory as the 2027 elections loom on the horizon.
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The Roots of the Rift: 2023 Election Fallout
The animosity between Wike and Atiku traces back to the contentious PDP primaries in May 2022, held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Atiku emerged victorious with 371 votes, defeating Wike, who garnered 237 votes, along with 11 other aspirants. Following his loss, Wike, then the Governor of Rivers State, had anticipated being Ascending to the vice-presidential slot as compensation for his efforts within the party. However, Atiku, seeking to maintain party unity and broaden his appeal, opted instead for Ifeanyi Okowa, the then-Governor of Delta State, as his running mate. This decision sparked a bitter feud, with Wike and his allies—collectively known as the G5 governors—refusing to support Atiku’s campaign, a move many believe contributed to his loss to Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku’s choice of Okowa over Wike was a calculated one, aimed at balancing regional representation and fostering a cohesive campaign. In a recent interview on the television program Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, aired on March 26, 2025, Atiku defended his decision, stating he harbored “no regrets” about sidelining Wike. He explained that, unlike in 2019 when he unilaterally selected Peter Obi as his running mate, he delegated the 2023 decision to a party committee. This committee, tasked with recommending three candidates, ranked Okowa first, Wike second, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel third. “I picked number one,” Atiku said, emphasizing that his choice reflected the party’s collective will rather than personal bias.
Wike’s Retaliation: A Promise of Continued Opposition
Wike, however, was not content to let Atiku’s remarks pass unchallenged. Through Olayinka, he fired back with a scathing rebuke, asserting that he too had “no regrets” for working against Atiku in 2023—a campaign that saw Wike openly align with Tinubu, claiming credit for delivering Rivers State to the APC. In a post on X, Olayinka wrote, “Two years after making the PDP lose a presidential election it could have won, Atiku is giving reasons he did not pick Wike 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.”
Wike’s response underscores his lingering resentment and his apparent determination to remain a thorn in Atiku’s side. Now a key figure in Tinubu’s administration, Wike wields significant influence, both within Rivers State and beyond, raising questions about his ability to shape future electoral outcomes. His vow to ensure Atiku’s repeated failure signals a personal vendetta that could further fracture the PDP, a party already grappling with internal discord.
A Clash of Titans: Personal and Political Stakes
The Wike-Atiku feud is more than a personal spat—it reflects broader tensions within the PDP over power distribution, regional representation, and leadership succession. Atiku, a veteran politician with six unsuccessful presidential runs (1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023), has long been a dominant figure in the party. His decision to prioritize party consensus in 2023 was a departure from his earlier unilateral approach, a move he framed as a response to criticism over insufficient consultation in 2019. Yet, this shift did little to appease Wike, whose assertive style and grassroots clout made him a formidable contender—and a potential liability as a running mate.
Wike’s influence was evident in the 2023 election, where his defection to Tinubu’s camp arguably tipped the scales in the South-South region, a traditional PDP stronghold. Political analysts suggest that his exclusion from the ticket alienated a key faction of the party, weakening Atiku’s campaign. Wike’s latest remarks indicate that he views his role in Atiku’s defeat as a point of pride, and his promise to “ensure you lose again” suggests he intends to leverage his current position to thwart Atiku’s ambitions in 2027.
Implications for the PDP and Beyond
This public war of words has far-reaching implications for the PDP as it seeks to regroup after its 2023 loss. The party’s inability to reconcile its warr “‘ing factions—exemplified by the Atiku-Wike divide—could undermine its prospects against a consolidated APC under Tinubu. Atiku, now 78, remains a polarizing figure: a seasoned statesman to some, a perennial loser to others. Wike, 58, represents a younger, more combative generation, yet his alignment with the APC complicates his standing within the PDP, where he retains significant sway.
The ongoing feud also highlights the personal stakes in Nigerian politics, where egos and alliances often overshadow policy debates. Atiku’s insistence on having “no regrets” defends his strategic choice, but it does little to heal the rift with Wike, whose retaliatory pledge amplifies the stakes. As the 2027 election cycle approaches, this clash could define the PDP’s internal dynamics, testing its ability to present a united front.
Looking Ahead: A Battle Far from Over
Wike’s declaration is a gauntlet thrown at Atiku’s feet, signaling that their rivalry is far from resolved. For Atiku, the challenge is to rebuild his coalition and neutralize Wike’s influence, a tall order given the latter’s resources and resolve. For Wike, the mission is clear: to cement his legacy as a kingmaker capable of toppling even the most entrenched figures. As Nigeria watches this drama unfold, the Wike-Atiku saga promises to be a central storyline in the nation’s political theater, with consequences that could ripple beyond the PDP to the broader electoral landscape.
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