Wike backs out of lawsuit, says deadline passed to challenge Atiku’s presidential ticket

Governor Nyesom Wike has backtracked on a lawsuit challenging Atiku Abubakar’s primary election victory, stating the deadline for filing such suits had long elapsed. 

Speaking with ThisDay, Mr Wike denied having knowledge of the suit and implied someone else may have filed the suit without his knowledge. 

“I don’t know anything about the so-called suit. I did not ask anyone to file any suit for me,” the governor told the medium.

“I don’t know the lawyers, am I a kid to be filing a suit at this time. I had 14 days after the primary within which to have filed any suit. I didn’t do that then, is it two months after primary I will file a suit?” Mr Wike said.

Mr Wike’s lawsuit, first reported by Peoples Gazette on Thursday, had been filed alongside another PDP member Michael Ekamon, according to filings entered before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. The applicants also joined the PDP, Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the matter. 

The parties were served on July 1, and a PDP official responded to the originating summons on August 5 in Abuja.

Mr Ekamon could not be reached for comments about whether or not Mr Wike was telling the truth about his knowledge of the legal action.

Relations between Messrs Wike and Abubakar have become strained since the latter clinched the party’s presidential ticket and chose David Okowa as his running mate, against the recommendation of a select committee who put forward Mr Wike.

The Rivers state governor polled 237 votes, against Atiku’s 371 votes, making him the candidate with the second highest votes at the PDP convention which was held in May.

Constituting a reconciliation panel, party officials have intensified efforts to resolve the cold war between the duo, as they both wield strong political influence that would determine PDP’s victory or loss at the 2023 general elections.