2023: Wike Slams Dogara Over Atiku’s Endorsement

• Says G-5 (Integrity Group) ready to fight back
• Insists Executive Order 21 stays

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has slammed former Speaker of the House Representatives, Yakubu Dogara for endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2023 general elections, describing the decision as quite disheartening.

Governor Wike said it was hugely disappointing that Dogara, who had declared his unflinching support for having the presidency zoned to the South, should suddenly turn around to support another northerner for the position after Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years tenure.

Further tackling Dogara for backing Atiku against his earlier stance on Southern Presidency, the governor said details of his discussion with Dogara and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal would soon be put out in the public space.

Going down memory lane, the Rivers State Chief Executive recalled how Dogara had evaded an appointment they were to have and left the PDP to join the APC, saying; “At the appropriate time, I will talk about how Dogara and Babachir visited me and what we agreed. What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate.

“Ask Dogara, what made you leave PDP? Dogara was to see me; unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he had gone to APC. I say ‘Okay, no problem’.

“The same Dogara said the Presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace. Now, I hear about the same Dogara (is endorsing Atiku from the north for the presidency). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?”

Governor Wike, who spoke at the commencement of work on Indorama-Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebubu-East/West Link Road in Eleme Local Government Area, said; “We need peace in this state and we would continue to keep the peace but nobody can take us for a ride. Rivers State cannot be a slave to anybody.”

Specifically warning that the G-5 would fight back if Atiku’s men continued to insult the Integrity Group, the governor urged the PDP Standard bearer to restrain his men from insulting the Integrity Group.

“I cannot understand people who just left APC recently and are talking about PDP that we stayed and suffered to build. Even if anybody should talk about us, it is not these miscreants”.

“What I want to tell the presidential candidate of the PDP is we need peace. We want all of us to be together for the party to win the general elections, but let me say clearly: if your boys continue to fight the leaders of our party, we would fight back.

“If anybody in the PDP presidential campaign council continues to insult the governors of the integrity group, we would fight back. Enough is enough. We want peace and we want equity, fairness, and justice. Nobody should take us for granted.

On the contentious Executive Order 21, Governor Wike said there was no going back as the order directive is still in force in Rivers, noting that the order’s intent was misrepresented before the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Insisting that political parties intending to hold their events within government facilities and schools should apply, the governor said; “Nobody can stop anybody from rallying. There are people misinterpreting and misconstruing what we are saying.

“What we are saying is that if they want to use primary and secondary schools, apply, pay money for security so that when you destroy or mess up the place, the government can now come and clean up the place.

“We are not saying that you are not entitled to use the place for a rally. These people, I don’t know the type of school they went to, are telling lies. I am sure they misquoted the IG (Inspector General of Police).”

On threats by some politicians to ignore the contentious order, Wike said; “Some of them say they would disobey executive order numbers 21 and 22, I wish them good luck. Dare us and we would tell you we are in charge of Rivers state.”