2023 election: Real reason Atiku is not on Rivers state campaign poster – Wike

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has explained why the image of Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Abubakar Atiku was removed from the state’s campaign poster.

Governor Wike made the revelation during the inauguration of the Rivers State PDP campaign council on Monday, claiming that Atiku chose those he wanted to work with in Rivers State without consulting him.

“The presidential candidate entered my state and picked members of the presidential council without the contribution of the governor. They said they don’t need me to campaign for them.

“I have never seen how people would disrespect a state like Rivers State and go and choose enemies of the state without”, he said.

He also said that he will only campaign for people who have asked him to do so and that Atiku has not asked him to campaign for him.

Atiku, Wike at loggerheads

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had urged the Peoples Democratic Pary, PDP, to apologise to Nigerians over an alleged divisive comment by the party’s Presidential standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, urging Northerners to disregard Yoruba and Igbo candidates in the 2023 election.

Wike stated this on Monday while speaking at the Port Harcourt International Airport, shortly after arriving from his short trip to Spain.

The governor, with his counterparts; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue), had jetted out to Spain sometime last week.

Recall that during an Interactive Session With Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna State, Atiku said Northerners need to vote for him rather than a Yoruba or Igbo candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku said, “I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country.

“I think what an 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 or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”

Reacting to Atiku’s comment, Wike said the PDP must address the issue so that Nigerians do not view the party as insensitive and devoid of the justice it preaches.