Atiku Tells Lies – Wike Fumes, Breaks Silence

• Says quitting PDP not an option

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Obviously still embittered by happenings during and after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who emerged as the opposition Party’s flag bearer is a liar

For the Rivers State Governor, the Wazirin Adamawa clearly courted trouble following his comments in the recent Arise TV interview and such barefaced lies against him should not be left unanswered.

Baring his mind on the unfolding events after the presidential primary, Governor Wike specifically thrashed Atiku over the speech delivered while unveiling Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.

He pointedly called Atiku as a liar, claiming that the PDP Standard bearer did not just tell lies against him, but also deployed some party’s chieftains to spread falsehood about him, promising to address all the concerned individuals in due course.

Name-checking former Jigawa and Niger States’ Governors, Alhaji Sule Lamido and Babangida Aliyu as Atiku’s attack dogs, Wike said despite his misgivings and anger, dumping the PDP is not an option.

Governor Wike, who addressed newsmen on Friday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, said he “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, he said the ongoings have made it imperative to speak out, saying that “it is time to let Nigerians know the truth. I have always believed when the left speaks, allow the right to also speak. We are not getting younger and as days passes we get older.

“So (it) is important when issues are raised or when speeches are made, one should be able to say this the part of my story so that the public we know the truth.

“It is most unfortunate since after our primary, I have decided to be quiet because (PDP) is a party I love so much. I never said anything, I decided to go back home and fulfill the promises I made to the people of Rivers State.

“But there comes a time I need to speak and let Nigerians know the actual truth. Having known the truth, whatever they decide to do with it is left for them.

“When the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar unveiled his running mate, no right thinking person and a lover of this party will say that the speech he made on that day was fair.

“Forget about his hailers, the scavengers and I never reacted to it. I said, no this party belongs to all of us. Thereafter, Atiku appeared on Arise TV, see the statement he made. So many lies were told and then you said I should not react to some of those issues. That will not be fair.

“Assuming today I’m not alive, obviously what he has said will be accepted as the truth”.

On the conciliatory moves by the party’s leadership, Wike said no delegation has visited him from either Atiku or the Party, adding; ”Atiku begged for my support before. But now, he no longer knows the way to my house.”

“I am not a slave and will not be a slave. I am freeborn of the country”, the Rivers State Chief Executive thundered.

In his recent interview with ARISE TV that is now generating heat within the nation’s main opposition party, Atiku said Governor Wike was not considered for the Vice presidential candidacy 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 is 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 had explained.