“I Would Have Won PDP Presidential Primary If They Had Allowed It To Be What It Is Supposed To Be” – Governor Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

“What is the interest of Rivers, South-South, and the South, in an Atiku Presidency? –  Wike”

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says he would have won the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Primary “if  they had allowed it to be what it is supposed to be.”

The Governor did not explain what was not allowed to happen the way it should have happened at the Primary. But long  before now, Wike had said the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, corrupted the exercise in favour of Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate.

Wike spoke at his private residence in Porthacourt when he hosted the State’s Council of Elders in celebration of his 55th birthday.

Wike has been at loggerheads with the PDP National Leadership and Atiku since he lost the Presidential ticket to the Candidate, and also lost the Vice Presidential slot to his Delta State counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. Along with four other Governors and a number of their allies, they formed the G-5, later renamed  Integrity Group, which Wike leads. The Group has since distanced itself from all PDP activities, including the Presidential Campaign. Instead, they have made it clear, in both actions and utterances, that while they would work for the 2023 success of the Party at the State level, they would not raise a finger at the Presidential election.

Members who are Governors are: Wike, Rivers, Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu and Seyi Makinde, Oyo. Chief Bode George, Professor Jerry Gana, Donald Duke, Olusegun Mimiko, Ayo Fayose, and some more are also members.

They are asking that Ayu  step down as the Chairman of the Party for a Southerner. They say it is unfair for the National Chairman and the Candidate to come from same Zone – North.

Wike told the Council of Elders that while he had nothing personal against Atiku, “Ayu must go.” He, also, said he had no regrets that he ran for the office of the President.

Wike: “I don’t regret I ran for the Presidency. In the name of God, I am happy to make Rivers proud as far as I am concerned.

“If they had allowed it to be what it is supposed to be, I would have won the election. But, it’s okay. It has happened.

“People said it’s because (his problem with PDP) I lost election. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t lose election.

“This is my first time of trying to run for the Presidency of  Nigeria, and we made impact. If it is easy, let them go ahead. Are they not the ones begging.

“I have no problem with the Presidential candidate. All I am saying is: what is the interest of Rivers people? What is the interest of the South-south, and the South?”

While efforts are still frantically on to resolve the issues, the Party has  moved on with its Presidential Campaign.