In a startling revelation, Paul Ibe, spokesperson of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, of frustrating Peter Obi out of the PDP, not Atiku.
In an interview on Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast, Ibe disclosed that Atiku had advocated for the PDP to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast, a move allegedly undermined by Wike.
The fallout from this internal power struggle saw Peter Obi, the former vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 elections, defect to the Labour Party (LP) in preparation for the 2023 presidential election.
Obi’s decision proved significant as he garnered over six million votes in the 2023 presidential election, although both the PDP and LP ultimately lost to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibe emphasized Atiku’s willingness to prioritize the Southeast in the party’s presidential ticket zoning, indicating that Wike’s opposition thwarted these efforts.
He said, “Atiku did not force Peter Obi out of the party, Wike was instrumental in the exit of Obi because Wike had promoted the zoning of the presidency to the south.
“Atiku Abubakar had said that he was prepared to get himself off the ticket if the party zoned the ticket to the Southeast.
“Wike frustrated that effort because he believed that if it was zoned to the south, not the southeast, he would be in the best position to be able to get the ticket.”
This revelation sheds light on the internal dynamics within the PDP and the political maneuvering that has contributed to the party’s recent challenges and internal strife.