Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar told many lies during his recent interview.
Atiku had, in an interview on Arise TV last week Friday stated that he could not work amicably with Wike as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
The former vice president had said he chose someone with “the qualities to be President. The person must have an appreciation of the deep rot which our country has been put into by the rudderless All Progressives Congress government; understands the great suffering that most of our people are going through and the urgency of relieving them of that suffering; understands the critical importance of economic growth and development to provide our young people with jobs, hope, and a pathway to wealth.”
He added: “But you must understand that it’s the prerogative of the candidate to pick his running mate — a running mate he believes he can work with amicably, and then also deliver the policies of the party, and also try to unify the country.”
Atiku was also asked if there was a plan to meet with Wike for reconciliation, he responded, saying “why not? I am open to that.”
But speaking with reporters on Friday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Wike accused Abubakar of lies and deceit in his chat with Arise News.
Wike said: “Thereafter he (Atiku) appeared before Arise Television, see the statements he made. So many lies were told”.
I have decided to be quiet because PDP is a party I love so much.”
“I have moved on to conclude my social contract with the people of Rivers. However, it is time to let Nigerians know the truth.”
Governor Wike faulted the speech by the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on the day he unveiled Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
He also accused the former vice president of telling lies against him, as well as using some chieftains of the main opposition party to spread falsehood against his person.
Thereafter he (Atiku) appeared before Arise Television, see the statements he made. So many lies were told”.
The governor vowed to respond to both the party’s flagbearer and the party chieftains whom he described as Atiku’s ‘attack dogs’ one-by-one and line by line in due time.
He said posterity would not forgive him should he fail to set the record straight and promised to clear the air after the commissioning of the projects lined up for inauguration by the state government.
On the reconciliation committee set up by the PDP leadership, Governor Wike stated that former Vice President Atiku had yet to send any delegation to him.
He, however, said a former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, met with him in Spain, although in his personal capacity.
According to the governor, the former vice president came to his house to beg for support but suddenly does not know the way to his house any longer.
He went on to challenge anyone to identify that he or she was sent by the PDP candidate to speak to him about the issue in the PDP and the aftermath of the party’s presidential primary.
Governor Wike who said the idea of setting up a committee was only being seen in the media, however, insisted that he would remain in the PDP and help rebuild the party.
“I am not a slave and will not be a slave. I am freeborn of the country,” he declared.
DAILY GIST reports that the opposition party, PDP had been embroiled in crisis in recent times.
Wike is said to be angry over Atiku’s choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.
Atiku had rejected the recommendations of a committee he set up to select his running mate, following his victory at the PDP presidential primaries.
The 16-man committee had recommended Wike, who came second during the party’s primary election, but Atiku opted for Okowa.
More details to follow……
