Peoples Gazette
Benue state governor Samuel Ortom has said Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should visit Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike if he wants to end the internal crisis rocking the party.
“Why should you (referring to Atiku) just send calls to Wike? Why can’t you just go to him? You have offended him. Wike is a pillar of this party,” Mr Ortom said on Arise TV Wednesday morning.
Mr Wike, a fiery party frontline, was runner up in the party’s presidential primary election where Mr Atiku emerged tops. The River governor was in strong consideration to run a joint ticket with Mr Atiku.
Mr Atiku, however, opted for Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, against the recommendation of a select committee who put forward Mr Wike. The decision has now degenerated.
Governor Ortom confirmed on live TV that 14 of the 17-man committee had recommended Mr Wike for the VP position. The recommendation was however disregarded by Mr Atiku who eventually went with Mr Okowa as his running mate.
Seething over his loss at PDP primary and Atiku Abubakar’s decision not to tap him as vice-presidential candidate, Mr Wike had since distanced himself from the PDP presidential campaign. He has since been holding talks with opposition figures such as Ebonyi governor Dave Umahi, Kano politician, Rabiu Kwakwanso and Peter Obi, the presidential can…
