The recent revelation that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Committee report on selection of a running mate during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election favoured the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has stirred fresh controversy.

The controversy was reopened by an aide to the FCT Minister, Mr Lere Olayinka.

The report, signed by former PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, other party leaders and dated June 14, 2022 was sighted by DAILY POST.

It was tagged “Report of the Advisory Committee for the Selection of Presidential running mate.”

The report reads: “The Advisory Committee for the selection of the Presidential Running Mate met today at the PDP National Headquarters, Abuja.

“The Committee unanimously suggested three names for consideration by the Presidential Candidate in the following order of preference: Governor Nyesom Wike, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Emmanuel Udom.

“The Committee’s decision was reached after considering the larger interest of the Party. The Committee thanks the Party for the opportunity to serve.”

The report was also signed by the embattled current PDP National Chairman Umar I. Damagun, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sen. Bala A. Mohammed, Olusegun Mimiko, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Sen. David Mark, and Rt. Hon. Oluwole Oke.

Others include Sen. Liyel Imoke, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, Dr. Samuel Ortom, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, Haj. Inna Maryam Ciroma, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Sule Lamido,.Sen. Philip T. Aduda, and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.

This was contrary to the claim by PDP’s former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar that the committee picked Okowa ahead of Wike and Udom.

In an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, Atiku had said he left the decision of picking his running mate to the then PDP leadership to decide.

According to Atiku: “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 he picked Okowa as his running mate because the committee set up by the PDP to select Presidential running mate for the 2023 election “ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel in third. So I picked number one.”

Responding, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Olayinka, said Atiku needs to see the report and seek forgiveness from God for lying during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a chat with DAILY POST, Olayinka said: “Someone needs to show this to Atiku so that he can seek forgiveness from (Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) before Ramadan ends.

“Here is the REPORT of the Committee.

“Imagine Atiku can’t even honour the Holy Month of Ramadan, and keep his lies till the end of the fasting period.

“And now you know why Atiku can’t be trusted. Person say him dey fast, he still dey lie.”

Reacting, Atiku’s Media Office described Olayinka’s comment as an emotional outburst.

It maintained that Atiku had no apologies for choosing Okowa as his running mate ahead of Wike in 2023.

A statement by Atiku’s Media Office said the choice of Okowa was based on a combination of intellect, composure, and statesmanship.

The statement said: “The attention of Atiku Media Office has been drawn to yet another emotional outburst disguised as a press statement from the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, issued by his aide, Lere Olayinka.

“While we understand that bitterness often finds expression in misplaced aggression, we must remind Wike and his team that a bitter heart isn’t capable of charity, nor does it inspire unity, healing, or truth.

“Once again, facts have been twisted in a desperate attempt to rewrite history. Mr. Wike, through his spokesperson, claims that he had 13 votes from a committee set up to recommend a vice presidential running mate, while Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had only two.

“Let us be clear: there are no laid down rules or laws on the selection process of a running mate. Committees, consultations, and recommendations are advisory in nature. The final decision rests solely and exclusively with the presidential candidate, in this case, Atiku Abubakar. It is a constitutional and strategic choice, not a popularity contest.

“Assuming, but not conceding that Wike had 13 votes and Okowa had 2 — just like universities confer degrees “in learning and in character” — one must ask: what is the worth of votes if character scores a zero?

“Leadership is not only about numbers; it is about temperament, dignity, and the ability to unify. A man may boast of numbers, but if his conduct lacks grace and humility, those numbers are empty.

“We make no apologies for choosing Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate in 2023. That decision was based on a combination of intellect, composure, and statesmanship.

“We have been vindicated by Mr. Wike’s public conduct in Rivers state where he once served as governor and in Abuja since becoming FCT Minister, which has made it abundantly clear why he was unsuitable for the role of Vice President in a ticket meant to unify, not divide.

“We urge Mr. Wike and his social media spokesperson to resist the temptation to sermonize about religious piety during Ramadan and Lent, too, while simultaneously fanning the flames of discord. Let us not reduce sacred periods to a tool for petty political jabs.

“The task of rebuilding our party and our nation is a serious one. It is time to move beyond bruised egos and focus on what truly matters: the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its people.”

Running mate: Atiku, Wike’s camps in fresh verbal war over Okowa choice