2023: Atiku Gave No Reasons 4 Dropping Wike, I Only Got Insults – Bala Mohammed 

Another angle to this crisis involves former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. What’s your relationship with him in this situation?

BM: Well, Atiku is our leader, and he has shown remarkable maturity. Since this issue began, have you heard Atiku’s voice in it? He’s stayed quiet.

But could he be working behind the scenes?

BM: Behind-the-scenes politics is normal. Haven’t I also been working behind the scenes? What I say publicly is only about 10% of what I’m doing behind the scenes, and that’s how it is for most of us. Even in boardrooms, there’s always politics. Take, for instance, how someone becomes chairman of a board-there’s always some behind-the-scenes manoeuvring.

Initially, I sympathised with Wike because he was hurt by Atiku’s candidacy. Remember during the primaries? Wike had supported others before. If he had told me he was running, I wouldn’t have ran. I believed in him as a friend because he contributed so much to the PDP’s development. But things changed. When I saw how hurt he was, I felt for him. Some of our governors even withdrew to pave the way for Atiku, but I didn’t. I didn’t want the ticket to become a northern affair.

Why didn’t you withdraw for Wike at that stage?

BM: Because I’m a nationalist. I don’t represent just the North or the South-I represent the entire country. I was approached by [former PDP Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia) Ayu to withdraw for Atiku, but I refused. Why should I withdraw after getting so far? If I were to step aside, it wouldn’t be for Atiku. I even told Atiku, “Leave it for me, as your younger brother-I’ll do it for you.”

We worked together closely (with Wike). Remember, he hosted me in Port Harcourt, and I also hosted him (in Bauchi). We both lost during the primaries, and I encouraged Wike to work with us. He agreed, and Atiku even set up a committee to choose a vice-presidential candidate. Everyone-the governors, the NWC, and all the stakeholders-recommended Wike. But Atiku refused; which hurt us deeply.

Did Atiku give you any reasons for this?

BM: No! There were no reasons; just insults. That’s why I pitied Wike. He was humiliated at the primaries, and then this happened. We expected him to make a significant contribution to the party, but it didn’t happen, which led to the formation of the G5. There’s a lot of under-current within that group.

So, while I sympathised with Wike initially, I believe our elder brother, Atiku, was wrong in how he handled the situation. But to his credit, Atiku has remained statesmanlike, staying quiet and not imposing himself. That’s why I respect him. I believe Wike should also respect himself-he’s a skilled politician. Politics is about live and let live. It’s an opportunity for everyone, and we should allow space for others to rise.