Atiku brazenly lying in month of Ramadan – Wike’s aide

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Lere Olayinka, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of telling lies during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Olayinka revealed that the former vice president misrepresented facts regarding the selection process of his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

Olayinka, in a statement on Saturday, described Atiku’s claim as false, lamenting that the former vice president could not respect the sacred period of Ramadan and refrain from making misleading statements.

Atiku had earlier asserted, “So in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names.

The committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel in third. So I picked number one.”

Refuting this, Olayinka insisted that the committee had actually favoured Wike, who secured 13 votes, while Okowa received only two.

“How can a committee present someone with two votes as the first choice over another who had 13 votes?” he questioned.

“The committee set up by the PDP picked Wike as Atiku’s running mate, but for reasons best known to him, he settled for Okowa, who had two votes from the committee members.

“That’s the truth Atiku should tell and stand with, not trying to colour his decision with falsehood,” he added.

Citing Islamic teachings, Olayinka emphasized the importance of truthfulness, particularly during Ramadan.

“Al-Bukhaari (1903, 6057) quoted Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) as saying that Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: ‘Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has no need of him giving up his food and drink.’”

He further remarked, “It is unfortunate that Atiku chose to tell lies so brazenly during the holy month of Ramadan, obviously forgetting that Allah (SWT) does not hearken to the prayers of liars. Perhaps that is why he has continually failed in his desperate bid to become Nigeria’s president.”

Olayinka, however, clarified that Wike had moved past the events of the 2023 election.

“Like I said earlier, Wike has no regret for Atiku not picking him as his running mate, and he also has no regret taking the position he took concerning the presidential election.”