Wike vs PDP: Reconciliation Doors Almost Shut
4 min read
There are indications that the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may not be able to work together again for the victory of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubaka.
It is also becoming clear that the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu will not be willing to resign as demanded by the Wike group which has not recruited more followers, apart from the four other governors that have been working with Wike.
C’River Sec School Laments Dearth Of Water, Toilet Facilities
TNN learnt from one of the core Atiku supporters that Ayu would not resign, neither will Atiku talk the national chairman into considering the demands of the Wike group.
But the party chieftain believes that Atiku has already devised a winning formula, despite the position of Wike. The PDP leader who is also an ex-officio member of the party said “nobody is looking at Atiku again. We have since moved on. Let him continue, when he is tired, he will rest.”
C’River Sec School Laments Dearth Of Water, Toilet Facilities
According to him, Wike was merely fighting battle that could not be won. In fact, he said the Atiku group would deal with Wike appropriately the moment victory was secured for the former vice president.
In his opinion, the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Rivers State, Mr Siminalaye Fubara would lose the March 2023 election because the party would be out to deal with him to teach Wike a lesson.
But Wike on his part, is not willing to succumb. Last week at various for a, Wike consistently stated that his group would not give up the fight for the ouster of the national chairman.
He has already spoken of his non willingness to support Atiku. At the flag-off of Fubara’s campaign in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike had declared that he will not “not support anybody who says that no other person from other ethnic groups can be president. I will not do it.
“I mean, Nigeria belongs to all of us whether you’re from Hausa, Fulani whether you’re from Yoruba, whether you’re from Igbo, or you’re from Ikwerre, whether you’re from Urhobo, whether you’re from Itsekiri, you’re from Ijaw, or from anywhere, you are entitled to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So, when you go on national television and tell anybody, don’t vote for the Yorubas, don’t vote for the Igbos, you didn’t even mention where I come from, which means, nobody identifies with me. Which means, I come from nowhere. But God knows that I come from somewhere.
“God, are you alive and they say I don’t exist? I exist. God has never made a mistake in life. He is the one who said where we should come from? It has nothing to do with party. It has to do with my identity.”
Wike also challenged Ayu to sue him if he was sure that he was not corrupt as accused, over the diversion of N1billion, N100million, and money realised from the party primaries.
“I have challenged Ayu, you are corrupt and cannot lead me to campaign. I will not, Rivers State will not, whether they like it or not, Ayu cannot lead us to campaign. Ayu is corrupt.”
“You (Ayu) are building a university in Benue State, but you have not stayed one year in office. How do you fight corruption? I said you took N1billion, I told you, you took N100million, I told you, you took the money that we realised from the primary, Ayu sue me.”
The governor told Rivers people that PDP governorship candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial election is Siminalaye Fubara, and all Rivers people who are satisfied and attest to the quality services he has rendered in office will join to deliver Fubara as the winner of the election.
In his speech, Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom said governor Wike earned their respect for showing exemplary leadership. According to him, all G-5 governors have chosen to work with him since they believe in equity, fairness and justice.
On his part, Enugu State governor, Ífeanyi Ugwuanyi stated his support to the Sim-project which, will consolidate the New Rivers Vision and guarantee continual delivery of democratic dividend to Rivers people.
The Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu spoke and urged all Rivers people to support to deliver Fubara who will continue in the Wike’s trajectory of growth, development and progress for Rivers State.
Also speaking, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State expressed the hope that Rivers State will continue in their tradition of delivering all PDP candidates as known since 1999.
PDP deputy national chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, expressed optimism that the party will win all elective positions in the 2023 general elections.