Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has expressed mixed feelings over comments credited to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that what the North needs was a northerner, not an Igbo or Yoruba person as next president of Nigeria.
Such statement, if true, Wike said, was a threat to the unity of Nigeria at a time when efforts should be concerted in giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging.
Wike spoke, last Monday at the international wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, shortly on arrival from Spain.
The governor was accompanied by his counterparts: Engr Seyi Makinde (Oyo);Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); and Samuel Ortom (Benue).
He said, “I don’t believe that my candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could make such statement. But assuming he did make that statement, and this is one of the things we have been saying, this country needs to be united and part of the way you unite it is to include everybody.”
Wike expressed his stance against anything that relegates any section of Nigeria and treats them as second fiddles.
The Rivers State governor was of the thinking that the handlers of Atiku should also share in the blame for allowing their principal make such comment in public which was capable of heightening tension and deepening the feeling of alienation among Nigerians.
“That has now confirmed to me one of the reasons why those of them in their camp, do not want Ayu to resign because they do not want inclusivity.
“I don’t know how those who are packaging the presidential candidate will allow him to make such statement. I was reading where somebody was saying that it was a direct response to a question he was asked.”
Given that the statement is now in the public domain, Wike advised the leadership of PDP to tender apology to Nigerians while explaining the circumstances in which the statement was made.
“Be that as it may, I don’t think that it was necessary at this time, as people who are going in for election, as people who want Nigerians to trust them to have allowed such a statement to be made.
“If it (statement) was made, as they said, I think, as a party, we need to apologise to Nigerians, assuming the (statement) was made.
“People are denying that it was made but if you watch the video, it appears true but people are saying with recent technology, anything can be done.
“This requires further explanation by our party, because Nigerians, as it is today, we can’t go this way if we want this country to remain as the way our finding father’s struggled, laboured, and toiled all the night to see that there is a country called Nigeria.”
Speaking further, Wike took a swipe at the PDP national chairman, Senator Iyorciha Ayu, saying going by his responses to the allegations levelled against him, he stands indicted except proven otherwise.
“Luckily for me, he (Ayu) has now mentioned that he went to the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa, where they discussed on the issues of borrowing.
“Now, the question is: when you talk about borrowing, who approves borrowing? You must go to the National Working Committee (NWC) to say you want to borrow money.
“I challenge him to bring the records where NWC approved that the party should go and borrow N1billion. What is the collateral?”
Wike explained that in matters of funding the party, the governors had been up to that responsibility dutifully.
According to him, it was, therefore, unthinkable that the national chairman would, in the guise of seeking funding for the party, opt to collect loan on behalf of the party without notifying the NWC and governors.
“Be sincere, how can you talk of N1billion loan without the NWC mooting the idea, without the governors knowing. Then you talk about the N100million he said he told the Board of Trustees (BOT).
“If any governor gives you N100million in order to rebuild one of the structures of the party, the Democratic Institute, let him show the minutes of the NWC where he said a governor has contributed N100million. Let him show the account to reflect this N100million.
“Let him also say that the N100million was in Naira or in Dollars. He said he gave it to the treasurer. I thought he would have told the world that NWC was aware”.
Wike stated for emphasis that his allegations against Ayu were categorical and it was expected that his responses should address each of the issues separately.
“In fact, the normal thing is that when once any governor or any party person has donated money to the party, you will go and tell NWC that so and so person has donated money. Let him (Ayu) show us the account where this money was paid into.
“Coming out to do a general denial is not denial. You (Ayu) must deny specifically to the allegations that were made.”
Wike also wants Ayu to mention names of those he has contacted to handle the rehabilitation works going on at the PDP Democratic Institute and at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone in Abuja.
“Ask him, the contracts that are going on in this Democratic Institute and that of Wadata, who is doing that contract, is it not one of his sons?
“As a party, we believe that Nigerians must trust us. We must show leadership and part of that leadership is integrity. You don’t just come and deceive Nigerians that you did not collect N1billion.
“So, let Ayu come out and tell us, tell the PDP people and tell the public that this matter was discussed in NWC.”
Wike also described as out of order the PDP Board of Trustees resolution that mandated Ayu to make commitment that he would resign after the 2023 elections.
The governor wondered why the BOT could not make Ayu to fulfil his initial commitment that he would resign if a northerner emerges as presidential candidate from the PDP convention.
“To say he should make another commitment that he will resign after the elections, for me, BOT resolution is ridiculous.”