Former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu said the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar did not pick Nyesom Wike as his running mate because the governor talks too much.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Aliyu claimed Wike “insulted his way to power”, adding that the Governor does not complement Atiku because of his temperament.

“You do not go around choosing people that will not compliment you. You choose people who will compliment your office. People that are ready to take over from you and will make you comfortable.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know if it is his temperament. Sometimes when you speak too much. When you insult your way to power, it does not always happen.

“I can count many people who he has insulted. People will say he is always speaking his mind. But there are times you don’t need to speak your mind”, he said.

Atiku had last week, picked the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.

Explaining his choice, Atiku stated that he was looking for someone who can sit as President whenever he is not in the country.

He noted that he looked out for one who has the qualities of a president, who can stand in for him when he’s not around.

Atiku said he also picked someone who understands the enormity of the challenges facing the country and one who has demonstrated, from experience, that he can proffer some solutions.

But the PDP had on Wednesday, reiterated its confidence in Governor  Wikes’s outstanding ability and commitment to the ideals and values of the party.

The party had in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, lauded Wike’s records of achievement as a Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Minister of State for Education, currently Governor of Rivers State and the runner-up in the PDP Presidential Primary.

“The various positions creditably held by Governor Nyesom Wike distinguished him as an excellent team player in public governance”, the Party said.