PDP Crisis: Wike Finally Endorses Atiku, Okowa

• Rejects backing down on Ayu must-go campaign
• Insists National Chairman leaving after elections is deceptive
• Mass engagement of Special Aides hits 50,000 mark
• Eyes take over of buildings defacing Old GRA 

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Adamant that his battle is for justice and fairness within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s structure, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike says he has no problems endorsing the party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, for the 2023 general elections.

However, he maintained that insisting on the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorcha Ayu quitting office before the elections should be an integral part of genuine efforts at amicably resolving the crisis within the country’s main opposition party.

This is as the governor, who announced an upward review of his newly appointed Special Aides to 50,000, blamed those he described as ‘rent-seekers’ and ‘selfish characters’ for the party’s inability to put its house in order ahead of next year’s polls.

The Rivers State Chief Executive made the remarks when he played host to the Cross River State PDP governorship flag bearer, State and National Assembly candidates as well as all Local Government Chairmen in his private residence in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Wednesday night.

With the South-South National Vice Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, present at the occasion, Governor Wike told his august visitors that the party would have been better off if those he called “hyenas and rent seekers” were not obstinate and averse to justice, fairness and equity within the system.

Insisting that the concerns by his group have nothing to do with the PDP’s presidential candidate or his running mate, the governor said; “We’ve finished presidential primaries. We have a presidential candidate. Is Wike saying, remove the presidential candidate? Is Wike saying, remove the vice presidential candidate? So, what are you begging me for?

“All I am saying and will continue to say is you have taken president, give us National Chairman. Nobody wants to speak the truth. If I am saying remove the presidential candidate, remove the vice presidential candidate, then you will say why is he doing this.”

“He (Ayu) said, if the presidential candidate comes from the north, he will resign, which means he has had this in mind. Now, the thing has come to reality, now resign, he says no. And people are saying go and talk to Wike.

“I’ve accepted the presidential candidate, accepted the vice presidential candidate, what’s the problem again? You, fulfill your part. Let the South have something, that is all I’m preaching. You cannot have the presidential candidate, national chairman, and director general of the campaign.”

Saying it is hypocritical for PDP members to criticise APC’s Muslim/Muslim ticket while on the other hand supporting a particular region of the country to retain the presidency for another eight years, he said; “This is the period the power game is being played. If you don’t have it now, forget it.

“If anybody tells you, let Ayu resign after the election is conducted, then you are a foolish person. This is the time decision is being made. This is the time the presidential candidate, National Chairman, and the leader of the campaign will sit, when the election is won in February before the president is sworn in, decisions would have been made.”

Governor Wike, who expressed deep appreciation to the visitors from Cross Rivers, said; “If there is nothing I achieved, I can go home and sleep that I won Cross River State. Not only did I win, but I also won very well.

“I feel so happy and that tells you of people who have the character of steadfastness. People who will never be pushed around for whatever it is. People who believe in the principles of life. People who believe in fairness, justice, and equity.”

On his stand going forward, the governor said; “This visit will spur me the more to give you support. I am not coming to Cross River to vote, but you are my friends. I have a right to support you”.

Speaking on behalf of the Cross River delegation, the PDP governorship candidate in the State, Senator Sandy Onor, described their host, Governor Wike as a trailblazer for justice, fairness, and equity.

Noting that no one person in the contemporary history of the PDP has sacrificed more for the Party than the Rivers State Chief Executive, Senator Onor said his steadfast support to the party in Cross River remains hugely appreciated and the visit was intended to express their profound gratitude for Governor Wike’s unparalleled benevolence to the State.

• Wike’s Special Aides Now 50,000

In another development, the Governor has announced an upward review to 50,000 the number of newly appointed Special Aides amid widespread controversy over his recent engagement of 28,000 Special Assistants.

The new appointees are aside from the 319 Wards and 40 Local Government Area Liaison Officers also appointed by the governor who warned that the State Government is ready to acquire any structure perceived as currently defacing the Old Government Residential Area (GRA), Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike, who dropped the hints on Thursday when inspecting ongoing state projects in the State said it was unfortunate that even some government institutions like the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) would not even bother taking care of their property, and their buildings.

According to him; “We have no choice but to make sure we bring back what Old GRA used to be. Those properties that are defacing Old GRA. I can assure you, the government will take every step to acquire them to make sure the place looks neat as it is supposed to be”.