Atiku had in the past lost elections, Okowa has also lost a primary election, and so have many, many, people. It is trite to say that politics involves winning and losing. Indeed, by the time Okowa was local government chairman in the early nineties Wike was not in the political radar. Okowa on the other hand is a medical doctor, was commissioner when Wike was local government chairman and Secretary to the State Government when he, Wike was chief of staff to a governor. Atiku is an accomplished former Customs officer who retired as deputy comptroller general. At the same time, Okowa was already a commissioner. Even outside the political arena, both men were success stories before Wike.īy the time Atiku was vice-president of Nigeria, Wike was a local government chairman. Both men are seniors to Wike in politics and in age. I also find the language and innuendo directed by Wike against Atiku and Okowa particularly offensive. I believe that it is time for Governor Wike to look beyond himself to the general interest of the party. It is even more surprising that the Rivers State governor had at the peak of the campaign for the presidential ticket vowed that he would not accept the position of Vice-President. That, it appears seems to be the grouse of Wike to wit, why the candidate chose Okowa over him. Contrary to social media claims there was no voting, a fact that Atiku has affirmed without disputation from anyone.Ītiku for strategic reasons decided to pick Okowa, a man who it is alleged had contributed in terms of strategy, financially and in several other ways towards his PDP convention victory. The committee made three recommendations namely Okowa, Wike and Governor Udom Emmanuel. Atiku was even liberal enough to mandate a committee of the PDP to help him pick three persons. Unfortunately for Wike, the choice of a running mate is the prerogative of the candidate. I understand that he is peeved over the choice of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate. In fact, Wike has not complained about being rigged out. Thus, the decision by PDP delegates at the convention to select Atiku over Wike was not done through coercion.

Another word for running the goverment