Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been advised that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket is no longer open to those considered the party’s chronic betrayers.
This warning comes from Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, who emphasised that Atiku should abandon any hopes of running for the PDP’s presidential candidacy in 2027.
During a live media briefing from his office in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike underscored that Atiku, the PDP’s presidential nominee in 2023, will face significant hurdles in securing the party’s nomination again in 2027.
In response to Wike’s comments, Atiku’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu, pointed out that he had previously triumphed over Wike and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal to win the PDP candidate for the 2023 election.
However, following Wike’s statements, Olayinka dismissed Atiku’s reflections on his past electoral victories as “funny and childish,” comparing it to Arsenal fans celebrating a minor win against the Super Falcons.
“Atiku’s self-congratulation for defeating Wike and Tambuwal, who were just entering their twenties when he first ran for president in 1993—is a clear indication that he needs to step back and reassess his ambitions,” he said.
Olayinka characterised Atiku as undestined for the presidency, arguing that he is now facing the repercussions of his previous betrayals of the PDP in 2003, 2007, and 2014.
He added, “Had he not been so ambitiously driven during his vice presidency, the presidency he has unsuccessfully pursued might have been within his reach.”
Pointing to Atiku’s decision to run for president as a candidate for the Action Congress in 2007 while still serving as the PDP’s Vice President, Olayinka labelled Atiku’s actions as deeply disloyal. “It’s a clear indicator of his lack of commitment to the PDP,” he stated.
He further noted that Atiku’s past actions, including those in Lagos during the 2023 elections, would continue to weigh on his conscience. Olayinka firmly reiterated that the PDP ticket would not be extended to someone like Atiku, who is perceived as likely to falter and then flee to Dubai following a defeat, only to return for the next election cycle.
