2023: “When The South Speaks Soon, Nigeria Will Know We Are Not Joking” – Wike

By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike says the People’s  Democratic Party in Southern Nigeria will speak soon on the 2023 Presidential seat. The South, when the Region speaks, will speak with one voice, Wike said. And when it does, Nigerians, according to the Governor, will know the Region is not joking.

Wike spoke to an array of Rivers State Stakeholders on Tuesday, February 1, at the Government House Porthacourt.

A visibly angry Wike used the opportunity to debunk a story which went viral on Monday, January 31, to the effect that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the People’s Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate in 2019, Atiku Abubakar, has picked him as his running mate for 2023, and dumped Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor, who was his running mate in 2019.

Debunking the story, Wike said perish the thought. He said he had never discussed something like that with anybody. Nor has anybody approached him for such a thing.

Said Wike: “The South will make a statement very soon, and the day the South makes a statement, Nigeria will know that we are not joking.

“It is not to come out and say you are consulting, yet, you have declared. Is it not after consultation that you declare.”

Wike, however, noted that the most important thing before the PDP is not agitation over zoning, but cohesiveness to make sure the Party gets it right.

Already, in the PDP, from the North, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the  Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal,  have  declared. Atiku has not hidden his interest, and same with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

From the South are frontrunner, for now, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, and Boardroom guru, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.  He is a former  Managing Director/CEO, Niemeth Pharmaceuticals.