Defection: Gov Ortom Urges PDP To Stop Wike; Says Party Treated Him Badly

By Ayodele Oni

Rivers state Governor, Nyesome Wike’s rejection at the last minute as the running mate to presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) does not go down well with some of his colleagues in the PDP Governors Forum.

His unusual silence since his rejection is another issue that should make the leadership of the party make effort to reach out to Wike, according to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, a staunch ally of the Rivers’ helmsman.

Ortom challenged the leadership of the PDP, to go to the Rivers State Governor and appeal to him and still make him feel a sense of belonging.

According to Ortom, the PDP has treated Wike, a former presidential aspirant of the party, badly.

Ortom, who appeared on Arise TV on Wednesday morning, also claimed that it was Wike who brought him back to the PDP in 2015 when he was treated unjustly.

“Why do you just send calls to Wike, you should have to go to him.

“When people left the party, Wike was on ground. It was Wike that brought me back to PDP when I was treated unjustly.

“He brought me back to PDP in 2015. You have treated Wike badly. The party at the national level should go to him and appeal to him. He came second to Atiku.”

Wike, has since he lost out in the PDP Presidential primary, been involved in closed-door meetings with some top opposition leaders who visited his country home, for meetings which details were not made public.

Just last week, the governor met with Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labor Party; Governor David Umahi of the All Progressives’ Congress, (APC); Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party, (NNPP); and the Bauchi State Governor and former presidential aspirant, Senator Bala Mohammed of the PDP at his private residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The visits were sequel to rumour of Wike’s alleged plan to dump the PDP after failed bid to emerge as a running mate to the flag bearer of the party for the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar.

Early this week, former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose hinted that his next line of action and that of Wike would soon be made public.

Fayose stated this while protesting his non-inclusion in the list of national campaign team of Osun Governorship election, which Wike is a member.

PDP in Ekiti state has equally accused Fayose of nocturnal romance with Governor Wike, saying that members of the party in the state are supporting Atiku’s ambition.