David Mark used ‘Coup-Plotting’ Knowledge to rig me out of 2022 PDP Primaries – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has again raised questions over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election of 2022, insisting that the exercise was skewed in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Wike alleged that the convention committee, chaired by retired Brigadier General David Mark, conducted the process in a manner that ensured Atiku’s emergence. He accused Mark of “deploying his coup plotting experience” to influence the outcome.

Wike claimed he had strong prospects of clinching the ticket but was undermined by secret meetings involving top political figures. According to him, “they gathered at General Ali Gusau’s residence and pressured other aspirants, including Bukola Saraki and Bala Mohammed, to step down. When they refused, the dynamics changed.”

He further disclosed that his supporters in Kano and Katsina were identifiable by their uniforms on convention day, a move he now considers a costly tactical error.

The minister also pointed fingers at former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, alleging that he was persuaded to withdraw from the race in Atiku’s favour after being promised the Senate presidency should the PDP reclaim power. Wike maintained that these behind-the-scenes arrangements swung the pendulum against him, despite what he described as a strong chance of winning the contest.