Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has strongly advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his ambition of contesting for the presidency in 2027. Olayinka, who is known for his vocal support of Wike, stated in a recent press release that Atiku was “not destined” to rule Nigeria, and that his repeated pursuit of the presidency was futile.
In his statement, Olayinka argued that Atiku’s political ambitions were doing more harm than good to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party he has been associated with for many years. “The PDP presidential ticket will no longer be available to be wasted by serial betrayals of the party, who are obviously suffering the consequences of their past sins against the party and its members,” Olayinka said, referring to Atiku’s contentious history within the party.
Olayinka further insisted that Atiku should “perish the thought” of contesting for the 2027 presidential election, particularly under the PDP banner. “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and those egging him on for their benefits should let the PDP breathe,” Olayinka remarked, urging Atiku and his supporters to step aside for the sake of the party’s future.
The public spat between Atiku and Wike has deepened in recent months, especially after the 2023 general elections. During a live media session in his office in Abuja, Wike, who was also a major contender for the 2023 PDP presidential ticket, made it clear that Atiku’s chances of securing the party’s ticket for 2027 were slim. Wike dismissed Atiku’s continued presidential aspirations, stating there would be no place for him in the party’s 2027 plans.
Atiku, in his typical combative style, responded through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, who reminded Wike of Atiku’s success in defeating him to secure the PDP presidential ticket for the 2023 elections. Shaibu also pointed to Atiku’s previous victories in securing the PDP’s ticket in 2019, when he triumphed over former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal. However, despite Atiku’s defensive remarks, Olayinka was unrelenting in his critique.
Olayinka ridiculed Atiku’s “celebration” of his narrow victory over Wike in the 2022 PDP primary, calling it “funny and childish.” He mocked Atiku’s actions, likening them to “Arsenal fans jumping to the rooftops to celebrate the club’s narrow defeat of the Super Falcons,” a comparison meant to highlight what Olayinka saw as a hollow and inconsequential victory. The remark was an attempt to downplay Atiku’s perceived political triumphs and emphasize his lack of true political success.
In another sharp attack, Olayinka suggested that Atiku’s self-congratulation over his past primaries was misplaced, arguing that it was absurd for Atiku to take pride in defeating younger candidates such as Wike and Tambuwal, who were only in their twenties when Atiku contested the 1993 presidential primary under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). “That Atiku is venerating himself for contesting PDP ticket with Wike and Tambuwal, people who were just a little above 25 as of 1993, when he contested the SDP presidential primary and came third, is the more reason he needs to go home and rest,” Olayinka quipped.
Olayinka’s criticism was also rooted in Atiku’s long history of political ambition, which he believes has consistently undermined his chances of securing the presidency. “It is obvious that he (Atiku) is paying the price of betraying the PDP in 2003, 2007, and 2014,” Olayinka stated. He suggested that if Atiku had avoided betraying the party on these occasions, he might have been able to easily pick up the presidency rather than fighting for it over and over again.
One of the key points Olayinka emphasized was Atiku’s decision to defect from the PDP in 2007. Atiku, who was serving as Vice President under the PDP at the time, left the party to run for president as the candidate of the Action Congress, a rival political party. Olayinka called this move an act of “desperation” and political disloyalty, which he argued severely damaged Atiku’s chances of ever leading the country. “A serving Vice President joining others to form another party and contesting as candidate of the new party against his own party—that’s Alhaji Atiku Abubakar!” Olayinka exclaimed, underscoring his disdain for the former vice president’s political maneuvers.
Atiku’s defection in 2007 remains a sore spot in Nigerian politics, particularly within the PDP, as it represented a high-profile betrayal of the party. Despite returning to the PDP years later, Olayinka believes Atiku’s actions in 2007 and subsequent political decisions have left a permanent stain on his political career, preventing him from ever truly securing the presidency.
Olayinka’s remarks also suggested that Atiku’s ambition was driven by personal desperation rather than genuine political merit. He contended that Atiku’s repeated failures to secure the presidency were a result of his inability to build long-term alliances and maintain loyalty to the party that initially helped him rise to prominence.
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, Olayinka’s comments highlight the deep divisions within the PDP, particularly between the Wike and Atiku factions. Wike, who has been positioning himself as a powerful force within the party, appears determined to prevent Atiku from running again, while Atiku and his supporters remain firm in their belief that he is still the best candidate for the presidency.
Olayinka’s statement is likely to further fuel the tension between the two camps, as both sides continue to battle for control of the PDP and the direction of its future. The question of who will secure the party’s 2027 presidential ticket remains up in the air, but it is clear that Atiku’s ambition is facing significant opposition from powerful party figures like Wike.
In the end, it seems that Atiku’s presidential dreams will face significant hurdles, not only from external political forces but also from within his own party. Whether he will heed Olayinka’s advice to “go home and rest” or continue his pursuit of the presidency is something that will likely be a key focus in the coming months as the race for 2027 intensifies.
Peace OdekunleNovember 15, 20244 Mins read
