Paul Ibe, the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, has shed light on the internal dynamics of the party.
According to Ibe, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, played a pivotal role in the departure of Peter Obi from the party.
Ibe disclosed that Atiku was in favour of the PDP zoning the 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast region. However, Wike allegedly opposed this move, which ultimately led to Obi’s exit from the party. Obi, who was the PDP’s vice presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election, switched allegiance to the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the 2023 elections.
Despite Atiku’s willingness to support the Southeast’s bid for the presidency within the PDP, internal conflicts within the party, exacerbated by Wike’s stance, have hindered progress. Ibe emphasised that Atiku was prepared to step aside if the party opted to zone the ticket to the Southeast.
In an interview on Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast, Ibe revealed, “Atiku did not force Peter Obi out of the party. Wike was instrumental in Obi’s exit because he advocated for the zoning of the presidency to the south, rather than specifically to the southeast.”
He further added, “Atiku Abubakar had expressed his readiness to vacate the ticket if the party decided to zone it to the southeast. However, Wike’s opposition thwarted this effort as he believed that a broader southern zone would better position him to secure the party’s presidential ticket.”
