I Didn’t Reject Wike, I Chose Someone who I Can Work Amicably with- Atiku

The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has reiterated that he has the sole prerogative to pick his own running mate.

Atiku who spoke with Arise TV at his residence, said the Party did not reject Nyesom Wike, but that he preferred Patrick Okowa, as he wanted someone who can “deliver the policies of the party, and also try to unify the country.”

Atiku’s choice of the Delta State Governor as his running mate drew much criticism from within the Party, as many high-ranking members felt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike would have been a better candidate.

“Governor Wike was not rejected. Nobody was rejected in the party. But you must understand that it’s the prerogative of the candidate to pick his running mate — a running mate he believes he can work with amicably, and then also deliver the policies of the party, and also try to unify the country,” Atiku said.

“Governor Wike is a brilliant politician. He’s courageous, tenacious. I believe he has a future in the political evolution of this country. It’s not a question of rejection. Certainly, not. I think it’s too harsh a word to say that we rejected governor Wike. Certainly not.”