VIDEO: Wike defends refusal to support Atiku in 2023 election, says he has no regrets

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he has no regrets for opposing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Wike denied engaging in anti-party activities when he refused to back the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Wike, who was the governor of Rivers State during the election, defended his decision, saying it was rooted in his commitment to justice, equity, and fairness. He explained that while he supported the PDP in other races, such as the gubernatorial and National Assembly elections, he could not support Atiku due to the party’s internal issues.

“For the presidential election, I made it clear that I would support equity, fairness, and justice,” Wike said. “For the other elections, I supported my party, and that is why we won the governor and National Assembly seats in Rivers State. But for the presidential race, I have no apologies. I don’t believe in injustice.”

Wike dismissed claims that his actions amounted to anti-party behavior, stressing that his stance was based on principle. “People say, ‘Discipline Wike, he did anti-party.’ I did not do anti-party,” he asserted.

Watch the video below;

https://x.com/channelstv/status/1843727562582712683?t=sBVQPAbN_m6BQngLJKlZkw&s=19

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Wike, along with four other aggrieved PDP governors—Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)—formed a group known as the G5. The group consistently demanded the resignation of then-PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, as a condition for supporting Atiku’s presidential bid.

However, their demands were not met, and Wike’s refusal to back Atiku became a pivotal moment in the election. Atiku eventually lost the presidential contest to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu. Ironically, Wike now serves in Tinubu’s government as the FCT Minister.