The political rivalry within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, delivered a scathing message to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Olayinka declared that Atiku, the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, is not destined to lead Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja, Olayinka urged Atiku to abandon any hope of contesting for the presidency in 2027.
“The PDP presidential ticket will no longer be available to be wasted by serial betrayals of the party, who are obviously suffering the consequences of their past sins against the party and its members,” Olayinka stated.
This comes after Wike himself dismissed the idea of Atiku securing the party’s nomination in 2027 during a live media session in Abuja on Wednesday.
In his statement, Olayinka accused Atiku and his supporters of suffocating the party with their ambitions.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and those egging him on for their benefits should let the PDP breathe,” he said.
Olayinka described Atiku’s political history as riddled with betrayal, suggesting that his repeated losses in presidential elections are a consequence of his actions.
Olayinka did not hold back in recounting Atiku’s alleged betrayals within the PDP.
“It is obvious that he is paying the price for betraying the PDP in 2003, 2007, and 2014,” Olayinka remarked.
He accused Atiku of contesting for president under the Action Congress in 2007 while still serving as Vice President elected on the PDP platform.
“That’s Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,” he quipped.
Olayinka likened Atiku’s political career to that of an aging football team celebrating narrow victories.
“It is like Arsenal fans jumping to the rooftops to celebrate the club’s narrow defeat of Super Falcons,” he joked.
He further criticized Atiku for celebrating his victory over Wike and Aminu Tambuwal in previous PDP primaries, calling it “funny and childish.”
Olayinka advised Atiku to step aside from politics and allow the party to focus on genuine leadership.
He referred to Atiku’s early political exploits in 1993 and implied that the former Vice President’s time has passed.
“Atiku needs to go home and rest and stop acting like the proverbial cock that failed to realize that it is now elderly,” he said.
The 2023 elections remain a sore point for PDP members, and Olayinka suggested that Atiku’s role in the party’s loss continues to haunt him.
“Most importantly, Atiku’s conscience will continue to prick him on his roles in Lagos in 2023,” Olayinka stated.
He alleged that Atiku’s repeated departures and returns to the PDP have damaged his reputation.
“The ticket of the party will not be for someone like him, who will lose elections and run to Dubai, only to come back two years to another election,” Olayinka added.