Former Niger Governor Babangida Aliyu has explained why the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, did not pick Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike as his running mate.

Aliyu stated that Wike “insulted his way to power”.

He spoke during an interview on Channels TV programme.

He said: “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,” Babangida Aliyu said of the reason that Wike was not selected by Atiku.