Wike Blasts Atiku and Dele Momodu Over Zoning Drama
Accuses Them of Selfishness, Money Politics
The political drama within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a fiery turn again, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, through his aide, has lashed out at both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and media personality Dele Momodu.
Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, didn’t mince words. He accused Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, of backing Atiku not out of principle, but because of the money he’s allegedly getting from him.
“Dele Momodu is only shouting because Atiku is paying his bills,” Olayinka said in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday. “The day Atiku stops, he’ll move to the next big man.”
He called Momodu a “fairweather friend” who supports whoever fills his pocket. Olayinka also dismissed Momodu’s recent claim that Wike forced Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi out of the PDP.
“That’s a stomach-talk,” he said. “Only someone like Dele Momodu, who doesn’t know anything beyond his own interest, would say Wike made Peter Obi leave the PDP.”
But he didn’t stop there. Olayinka also took serious aim at Atiku himself, saying the former vice president has been a problem for the PDP since way back in 2003.
“Atiku has always worked against the PDP,” he alleged. “He even stopped us from winning Lagos in 2003.”
He questioned Atiku’s sincerity about zoning the presidency to the South-East before the 2023 elections. According to him, Atiku had already bought his presidential nomination form before the zoning committee even concluded its decision.
“Dele Momodu says Atiku supported a South-East candidate, but how can that be when he already picked up the form himself?” Olayinka asked.
To make his point clearer, Olayinka listed several former Atiku allies who left the PDP after working closely with him:
Senator Gbenga Daniel, Director-General of Atiku’s 2019 campaign, left the PDP just two weeks after the elections.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Atiku’s 2023 running mate, has also distanced himself.
Udom Emmanuel, head of Atiku’s 2023 campaign, and current Governor Umo Eno, both from Akwa Ibom, are also reportedly staying quiet on Atiku matters.
“Was it Wike that made all these people leave? No. The problem is Atiku himself,” Olayinka insisted. “He’s only concerned about himself, not the party.”
As of the time this report was filed, efforts to hear from Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, and Dele Momodu were unsuccessful. Momodu’s phone was switched off, and Ibe didn’t answer calls or reply to messages.
Reference
Wike Blasts Atiku and Dele Momodu Over Zoning Drama
Accuses Them of Selfishness, Money Politics