The Peoples Democratic Party, according to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, owes Nigerians an explanation and an apology over Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate contentious remarks.
On Sunday in Kaduna, Atiku said that the North does not require Yoruba or Igbo candidates for the presidency, adding that he is the only one deserving of the coveted position.
Atiku was quoted saying, “I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country.
“This is what the northerner needs. He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”
In response to the remarks that have sparked intense debate across the nation, Governor Wike stated that while he doubts Atiku could have made such a sensational statement at such a pivotal moment in the history of the country, such a stance would support his fight for equity, justice, and fairness in the PDP.
He asserts that the party must immediately address the problem and make an appeal to Nigerians lest the populace cease supporting the PDP and start to perceive it as a party where justice and equity are scarce.
In addition, Governor Wike questioned Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman, about how he would respond to accusations of corruption brought against him and he denounced as absurd the Board of Trustees’ suggestions to the PDP crisis.
The peace inside the Peoples Democratic Party has recently been threatened by a few events.
The National Chairman’s defense against Governor Wike’s accusations of corruption, the Board of Trustees’ recommendations regarding the leadership crisis, and a statement attributed to the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar about the North not needing the Yoruba or Igbo candidates were the most notable of the recent incidents.
Wike has previously stated that if the PDP were to win the 2023 presidential election, the national leadership must act morally.
In order to ensure that a person from the south fills the position in accordance with the principles of equality, fairness, and justice, Governor Wike argued that Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation as PDP national chairman is the proper course of action.
He underlined that any group leader who instigates conflict within his own group is actually lacking in the necessary abilities to manage that group’s affairs.
“This is the time to show leadership skills on the part of those who are leaders of the party. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate. He is the one who feels the pain,” Wike said.
Citing Section 7 (3) (c) of the PDP Constitution, which states that all political and elective positions must be zoned, Wike wondered why it has become so difficult for Senator Ayu to respect the constitution or even keep to his promise and vacate the office as the PDP Clchairrman.
“We have not held the presidential primary before the national chairman of the party said if the presidential candidate emerges from his area, he will quit,” the governor noted.
He again accused Ayu of collecting N100 million from a l governor, name mentioned, to renovate the party’s democratic institution. He further said that Ayu later went to the PDP National Working Committee to still collect another N100 million, for the same purpose. He challenged Ayu to deny it.
He said, “In fact, let me also tell you, Ayu collected N100 million naira from a governor that he was going to renovate our democratic institution and then he went back to the PDP NWC and took the same N100 million naira for doing the same work.
“What kind of system is that? I am telling you all these are facts. Let him (Ayu) say no first and I will tell you (those he collected money from).”
The governor of Rivers State emphasised the significance of the PDP’s mission to save Nigeria, which Nigerians had set for it. But he added that the task calls for the party to be led by a person of integrity.