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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has narrated how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Sen Iyorchia Ayu, manipulated the party’s presidential primary, held on May 28, in favour of the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking at his ongoing media chat in Port Harcourt, Wike alleged that Ayu threatened to resign if he (Wike) wins the party’s presidential primary.
He said:”He (Ayu) was calling aspirants to withdraw for Atiku Abubakar. This was the national chairman who is supposed to be neutral.
“Ayu was holding meeting upon meetings. That’s why we didn’t start the convention on time. That is why the convention that was supposed to start at 11am didn’t commence until 6pm. Some retired army generals were also involved. Even at the convention ground, he was asking candidates to withdraw for Atiku, just to ensure Atiku wins.
“The national chairman threatened that if Wike wins, he is going to resign. There was nothing Ayu didn’t do for Wike not to emerge.”
Wike added that the convention wouldn’t have held if not for the love if he and members of his camp have for the party, adding that they also want to avoid what will cause crisis for PDP.
“We would have gone to court and bring heaven down at the convention. People that are close to me know what we can do, but we said let us continue with the convention in the interest of peace,” he said.
