Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to apologize to Nigerians over the controversial statements of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The Rivers State Governor made the call in a statement released on Monday.
Atiku had on Saturday while addressing northern stakeholders in Kaduna stated that the north does not need a Yoruba or ab Igbo as President in 2023.
“I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs are 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.
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“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.”
Reacting to Atiku’s statement, Governor Wike said while he doubts the possibility of Atiku making such a sensational statement at this critical time, such posture would justify his fight for equity, justice and fairness in the PDP.
Wike said;
“Such a comment would justify his fight for equity, justice, and fairness in PDP.”
The Rivers State Governor called on PDP to urgently address the issue and appeal to Nigerians.
He warned that the main opposition party might lose the support of Nigerians if it fails to act, adding that Nigerians might begin to see PDP as a party where justice and equity do not abound.
Governor Wike has insisted on the call for the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu to resign from office ahead of the 2023 race.
He noted that Ayu has to go to allow a southerner to take over the seat within the principle of equity, fairness and justice.
Wike stressed hat any leader of a group that causes crisis within the group lacks the requisite skills to navigate the affairs of such a group.
“This is the time to show leadership skill 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.”
Governor Wike made reference to the party’s constitution which spells it out in Section 7 (3) (c) that all political and elective positions must be zoned.
He wondered why Ayu is finding it difficult to fulfil his promise and quit the office now that a northerner has emerged as the party presidential candidate.
“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,” Wike stressed.
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