I didn’t ignore Wike, only chose who can deliver – says Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said he didn’t reject the choice of the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike as running mate.

This came as a reaction to the controversy surrounding the choice of the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate, and why he did not choose Wike.

Atiku has, on a television session, Friday morning, said he has chosen whom he felt would deliver among the political actors nominated and presented to him.

He said, “I didn’t reject Wike, I picked who can deliver. Wike is brilliant and tenacious.

“Going by history, I picked an Igbo as running mate in 2007, in 2019. I still picked an Igbo as running mate for 2023.

“The committee that presented the three nominees was chaired by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom. They recommended three people, so I picked one. People should be fair to me and state the facts.”

“We are reaching out to Wike and talking to him, very soon, we will resolve our internal crises.

“I have contested this presidency a couple of times and I don’t try to blame anybody, I accept the outcome or go to court,” Atiku added.