In a recent statement, Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and Social Media to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has made scathing remarks about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, asserting that it’s too late for him to attain the character and integrity he has purportedly lacked throughout his life. This comment comes in light of Atiku’s media office blaming character issues for the rejection of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) committee’s decision regarding the selection of its vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.
Olayinka emphasized that no one understands Atiku better than President Olusegun Obasanjo, under whom Atiku served as Vice President for eight years. He argued that Atiku’s questionable integrity and character have been long established, citing Obasanjo’s book, My Watch, as evidence.
“One Nigerian that can never be found in the gathering of men of character and integrity is Atiku, and his boss, Obasanjo, attested to this in his book,” Olayinka stated. He recalled how Wike initially rejected Atiku’s offer to be his running mate due to concerns over Atiku’s character until he was eventually persuaded otherwise.
Olayinka further criticized Atiku for his actions following the PDP committee’s decision to nominate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the top candidate for the Vice Presidency, accusing him of dishonesty regarding the committee’s recommendations. He pointed out the irony of Atiku, who has been labeled a “blatant and shameless liar” by Obasanjo, now discussing issues of character.
“For the records, Obasanjo said in his book that Atiku has a propensity for corruption, disloyalty, and a lack of transparency, among other allegations,” Olayinka noted, highlighting that Atiku has yet to refute these claims.
In contrast, Olayinka defended Wike, asserting that he is forthright about his positions and does not shy away from expressing his views on significant matters, unlike Atiku, who he accused of being desperate for the presidency.
“As he grows older, Atiku should strive to be more truthful and reliable, as not everything should revolve around a desperate quest for power,” Olayinka concluded.
This exchange underscores the ongoing tensions within the PDP as the party navigates leadership dynamics ahead of the upcoming elections.
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Press Release
Too Late For Atiku To Buy Character, Integrity
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has been told that it was already too late for him to buy character and integrity that he has lacked from birth, and that no one could have knew him better than President Olusegun Obasanjo, under whom he served as Vice President for eight years.
Lere Olayinka, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, was reacting to statement by the Atiku Media Office that character was the reason the decision of the committee set up by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to select its Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 election was rejected.
He said one Nigerian that can never be found in the gathering of men of character and integrity is Atiku, and his boss, Obasanjo, attested to this in his book; My Watch.
Olayinka said; “One of the reasons Wike first rejected Atiku’s offer to have him as his running mate was his not too impressive character and integrity rating, until he was prevaied upon. And this, Atiku exhibited when he rejected the decision of committee the party set up to pick his running mate even after telling everyone that the decision of the committee will be bidding on him.
“Now, after his lies that he picked his running mate based on the committee report that placed the former Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as number one was bursted, he is now sermonising about character and integrity, which he, himself does not have.
“Funny that the same Atiku, that his boss described as a ‘blatant and shameless liar,’ is the one talking about character.
“For the records, Obasanjo said in his book, ‘My Watch’ that ‘What I did not know, which came out glaringly later, was his parental background which was somewhat shadowy, his propensity to corruption, his tendency to disloyalty, his inability to say and stick to the truth all the time, a propensity for poor judgement, his belief and reliance on marabouts, his lack of transparency, his trust in money to buy his way out on all issues and his readiness to sacrifice morality, integrity, propriety, truth and national interest for self and selfish interest.’
“Up till today, Atiku has not debunked what his boss said about him.
“Unlike Atiku, Wike does not hide or pretend on where he stands on issues. He is not one that will do a tweet on major issues and rush to delete it. He didn’t pretend about his position on the 2023 election and he won’t pretend on where he will stand in 2027.
“It is Atiku, that should start being truthful and reliable, especially now that he is old, because everything should not be about desperation to be president.”
Lere Olayinka
Senior Special Assistant
Public Communications and Social Media
March 30, 2025
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