Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Council in Rivers State has said the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju BolaTinubu, is Governor Nyesom Wike’s choice for the 2023 election.
The council in a letter dated February 1, said Wike had already directed all local government chairmen, his aides and party executive members to deliver Tinubu at the poll.
The letter addressed to Wike and signed by the Director, State Campaign Management Committee, Rivers State chapter, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, was in reaction to the reason given by the governor for cancelling an approval he gave to the council to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for Atiku Abubakar’s campaign in the state.
Sekibo accused Wike of trying to frustrate and stop the PDP’s flagbearer, Atiku, from emerging the next president of Nigeria.
He also said Wike’s involvement in the activities of the G-5 was the height of anti-party and wondered why the governor would in turn accuse them of working with a faction of the APC in the state.
Sekibo denied the claim by the Wike that the council was working in collaboration with a faction of the APC led by Tonye Cole to share the approved facility with the opposition party.
“We completely sent your assertion as patently false and perverse and we believe that our highly respected security agencies cannot furnish you with such untrue and unfounded lies.
“The PDP Presidential Campaign Council has nothing whatsoever to do with the APC in Rivers State. It is appalling and highly preposterous for you or anyone to assume that the PDP and the APC could jointly hold an event in the same venue,” Sekibo said.
According to Sekibo, the only reason for the cancellation was Wike’s notice of their massive mobilisation and acceptance of Atiku by the people of Rivers State.
“However, we are rather aware by credible information reaching us that Your Excellency has directed all local government council chairmen, special advisers, commissioners, party executives in the state, local government and ward levels and all other appointees of yours to work for the APC Presidential Candidate,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though you have not had the courage to announce same to the people of the state.
“Your general public utterances, innuendos and conduct have pointed to the fact that you are bent on frustrating and if possible preventing the emergence of PDP Presidential Candidate as the next President of Nigeria.
“Your involvement in G-5 is the height of anti-party activity. It is, therefore, surprising that you are now accusing us of hobnobbing with APC faction in Rivers State,” Sekibo added.
