From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has launched a scathing critique of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of lacking character and integrity.
Olayinka’s remarks were in response to a statement by Atiku’s media office claiming that integrity was the reason a committee decision on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 election was rejected.
Olayinka alleged that Atiku’s character has been questioned by none other than his former boss, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, under whom he served as Vice President for eight years.
He referenced Obasanjo’s memoir My Watch, where the former president described Atiku as a “blatant and shameless liar” with a “propensity for corruption” and poor judgment.
According to Olayinka, Wike initially rejected Atiku’s offer to make him his running mate during the 2023 election due to concerns over his integrity. He claimed that Atiku exhibited dishonesty by rejecting the decision of a PDP committee tasked with selecting his running mate, despite publicly stating he would abide by its recommendation.
Olayinka further accused Atiku of lying about basing his choice of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Delta State, on the committee’s report. He stated that this falsehood was exposed, yet Atiku continues to “sermonize about character and integrity.”
Quoting Obasanjo’s book, Olayinka highlighted damning remarks about Atiku: “His parental background was somewhat shadowy, his propensity to corruption, his tendency to disloyalty, his inability to say and stick to the truth all the time… his readiness to sacrifice morality, integrity, propriety, truth and national interest for self and selfish interest.” He noted that Atiku has never publicly refuted these claims.
Olayinka contrasted Wike’s forthrightness with what he described as Atiku’s inconsistency. He praised Wike for being transparent about his political positions, including his stance on the 2023 election and his likely direction in 2027. In contrast, he accused Atiku of deleting tweets on major issues and being driven by desperation for power.
Olayinka concluded by urging Atiku to embrace truthfulness and reliability in his old age rather than focusing solely on his ambition to become president. The remarks add another layer of tension between Wike and Atiku within Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections.