Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of telling lies against him in an interview with a national television.
The PDP was plunged into crisis after the primary election where Atiku emerged flagbearer of the opposition party for the 2023 Presidential election.
Atiku defeated Wike in the primaries and the governor was nominated as the presidential candidate’s running mate, but Atiku settled for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
Atiku’s choice had created a rancour in the ranks of PDP leaders, but the Rivers governor kept a sealed lips on the post-primary crisis.
He equally held several meetings with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties, raising concerns about his future with Nigeria’s main opposition party.
In an interview with ARISE TV, Atiku said he did not pick Wike as his running mate because he wanted someone he could work with “amicably”.
“Governor Wike was not rejected. Nobody was rejected in the party. 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.
“Governor Wike is a brilliant politician. He’s courageous, tenacious. I believe he has a future in the political evolution of this country. It’s not a question of rejection. Certainly, not. I think it’s too harsh a word to say that we rejected governor Wike,” Atiku said.
In a tacit response to Atiku’s interview, Wike had tweeted that Nigerians would know the truth about recent events in the party when he finally speaks.
Speaking with reporters after a trip from Spain on Friday, Wike accused Atiku of lying against him.
“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.”
“I am not a slave and will not be a slave. I am freeborn of the country,” he said.
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.
The governor vowed to respond to Atiku and his ‘attack dogs’ one-by-one and line by line.
