As the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, prepares to unveil his running mate, indications have emerged that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, is mobilising regional support for the coveted position.
Recall that the Rivers Governor had polled a total of 237 votes, to emerge second during the presidential primary election of the PDP, which held on Saturday, May 28.
As various stakeholders in the main opposition party intensify search for a suitable vice presidential candidate, highly-placed sources hinted that regional support for Wike’s emergence, which include individuals and groups, had continued to mount.
It was gathered that apart from the Rivers Governor, pressure is also on the PDP presidential candidate to pick the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as his deputy.
One of the sources, who spoke in confidence, said: “I can tell you authoritatively that Wike is seriously mobilising regional groups and prominent individuals, to get the vice presidential ticket.
“I can tell you for free that on the 31st May, Wike met a senator (name withheld) where he expressed his fear that Atiku may not pick him as his running mate.
“Wike said Abubakar may not be inclined to picking him, because he accused him (the Rivers Governor) of attacking his personality during the campaigns for the PDP primary election.
“He said even though Atiku informed him that at no time did he promise Governors of Delta and Akwa Ibom states, Ifeanyi Okowa,and Udom Emmanuel, running mate position, he (Wike) does not believe that.
“He said he thinks Atiku may be playing games, trying to see how he will stop any move towards initiating an action in court”.
The source continued: In his response, the senator, whom Wike met in Port-Harcourt, advised that press conferences should be held in the city, where those involved, in their large numbers, will warn that unless Wike was picked as Atiku’s deputy, the PDP should kiss the state’s votes goodbye.
Please, recall that Wike had complained about the decision to allow his Sokoto State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, to make a second speech at the convention, wherein the latter did not only announce his stepping down for the Wazirin Adamawa, but directed his supporters/delegates’ to vote along that line.
“There were concerns that arising from that action, the second runner-up may approach a court of law for possible redress”.
Diaspora group, Iwhnurohna Monitoring Group (IMG), had drummed support for the Rivers Governor, insisting that an Atiku/Wike ticket will result in victory at the 2023 presidential poll.
IMG is a sociocultural group of Iwhnurohna indigenes of the Niger Delta, whose members are resident in North America and Europe.
