Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has come for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar for meeting with his faction of the Rivers State PDP in Abuja.
Wike spoke today at the flag off ceremony of the Emohua/Abalama/Tema road that goes through communities in two local governments area in the state.
Atiku had met with PDP stakeholders from Rivers State and had referenced why he could not meet them or campaign in Rivers State.
Atiku was quoted as saying to the stakeholders:
“Although we did not wish for this, it became expedient that we think and act innovatively to protect the lives of our people from the mindless violence and bloodshed instigated by the very persons who have the primary responsibility for their security and wellbeing.”
Wike described the meeting as an insult to Rivers State for someone seeking their votes to not come to their state to talk with them.
Wike reacted by saying this:
You are addressing Rivers people in Abuja. Is that not an insult? You cannot come to Rivers state and talk to us,”
“You say Rivers state is not safe, but you want their votes. Rivers people, will you allow that? Those who declared our state to be unsafe are those who are seeking your votes. It is unfortunate. No right-thinking Rivers person will take that insult”
“And I challenge all of you here to behave like true Rivers people to say nobody can buy you; nobody can summon you outside Rivers state.
Wike and Atiku have been at loggerheads over the presidential ticket of the PDP. Wike had spearheaded the formation of G5 Group of PDP Governors who had remained opposed to the Atiku presidential campaign.
