The Rivers State Chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown the can of worms open on the Wike versus Atiku political face-off and the ban on campaign for Atiku in the state.
Newsonline reports that the PDP Rivers State chapter said it was sure that Governor Wike would not hide his decision from the public on anyone campaigning for Atiku.
Recall that Newsonline had reported extensively on how wike allegedly humiliated a former governor of the state, Omeiha, former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Opara, and a former senator of Rivers SouthEast, Senator Ledogo Maeba for holding a secret meeting with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate. Read more.
On Monday, Governor Wike on the occasion of the inauguration flyover and other road constructions in PortHarcourt, stated firmly, though indirectly, that Atiku cannot get vote from the state without meeting some conditions. Governor stated that in he was in charge of the state
But PDP State Publicity Secretary, Tambari Gbara, told reporters that Wike did not ban party chieftains from campaigning for Atiku in Rivers State.
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In a statement, Gbara said: “If the governor wants to make that statement, he would make it official, that, in the State, nobody should campaign for Atiku Abubakar.
“Governor Wike is not somebody that hides his feelings. If he wants to say that, I don’t think he would say it privately. So, the person making the allegation should come out and prove himself.
“He (Maeba) should be able to furnish Rivers people and Nigerians with evidence.”
The political face-off between Wike, Atiku and the national leadership of PDP is getting intense with weeks left for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to lift ban on campaigns ahead of the 2023 general election.
Aside Wike, former governor of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose is still yet to agree with Atiku’s candidacy.
Fayose still maintains that the PDP failed in action by going contrary to the constitution of the party which recognized presidency rotation along the North and the South political divide of the country.
