In a fiery response to allegations of anti-party activities against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lere Olayinka, Special Adviser on Public Communication to Wike, has turned the tables on former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Olayinka accused Atiku of being the root cause of the PDP’s internal crises, citing his alleged anti-party actions in 2003, 2007, and 2014.
The Background
The war of words began when Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media aide, accused Wike of engaging in anti-party activities. Ibe referenced a letter from the PDP to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) canceling the South-South Zonal Congress due to “operational constraints.” Despite the letter, Wike and his camp proceeded with the congress, which saw the reelection of Dan Orbih as the South-South Zonal Vice Chairman of the PDP.
Ibe claimed that Wike’s actions were aimed at creating chaos within the PDP to serve the interests of his “paymasters,” implying President Bola Tinubu.
Olayinka’s Counterattack
In a sharp rebuttal, Olayinka dismissed Ibe’s claims and redirected the focus to Atiku’s past actions. He accused Atiku of sowing the seeds of discord within the PDP through his alleged anti-party activities in 2003, 2007, and 2014, which he said continue to haunt the party to this day.
“The seed of anti-party your @atiku sowed in the @OfficialPDPNig in 2003, 2007, and 2014 is still hunting the party till today,” Olayinka stated.
He also questioned the timing of the PDP’s letter to INEC, pointing out that it was received three days after the congress had already taken place. “Letter that took 5 days to trek from Wadata Plaza to INEC office and was received 3 days after the Congress was held is what you are celebrating here,” he added.
A Call for Atiku to Step Aside
Olayinka urged Atiku’s supporters to stop pushing what he called the “deceitful narrative” of their principal running for the presidency again. He advised Atiku to retire from politics and allow the PDP to rebuild itself.
“Better tell your serial presidential election contester and loser to go and rest,” Olayinka said. “It is time for Daddy to rest now and let the PDP breathe. DAZZOL.”
What’s Next for the PDP?
The exchange highlights the deepening rift within the PDP, with factions loyal to Wike and Atiku trading accusations. The party, which has struggled to maintain unity since the 2023 elections, faces an uphill battle to reconcile its internal divisions and present a united front ahead of future elections.
For now, the war of words between Wike’s camp and Atiku’s supporters shows no signs of abating, further complicating the PDP’s efforts to regain its footing as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.
Key Takeaways
Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, accused Atiku of being responsible for the PDP’s internal crises due to his alleged anti-party activities in 2003, 2007, and 2014.
The accusations came in response to claims by Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, that Wike was engaging in anti-party activities.
Olayinka criticized the timing of the PDP’s letter to INEC canceling the South-South Zonal Congress, which was received after the event had already taken place.
He called on Atiku to retire from politics and allow the PDP to rebuild.
The exchange underscores the deepening divisions within the PDP.