Presidential Ticket Is Not Your Birthright, Wike Tackles Atiku Over Comment

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has reacted to a comment by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar boasting he will always pick the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike said the Atiku’s statement can only interpreted to mean he is taking convention delegates of the party for granted.

“I didn’t expect him frankly speaking to say that he will always take the ticket of the party. That is going too far and taking the delegates for granted,” he said.

The Governor, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said the outcome of the forthcoming presidential primary of the PDP would shock many people.

He, however, said whoever emerge of all the aspirants should be rest assured that the entire party would rally round for victory at the 2023 presidential election.

Wike restated his commitment to doing anything that would ensure PDP returned to power in 2023 to begin a process of rebuilding the nation.

While urging PDP members to resist divisive utterances, the governor asked everyone to watch keenly the outcome of the primary election.

He said: “People should watch, there will be shock as far as PDP convention is concern. People should watch what is going to happen. People like to underrate so many persons and it is not good in politics.”

Speaking on the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) over the weekend, Wike expressed confidence that the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the PDP would follow the guidelines.

He said: “We are law abiding party. The party will soon meet, the NEC will meet and find the way forward on how we will put our house in order and make sure we religiously follow the timetable of INEC without violating any provision of the law and guidelines that INEC may have produced.”

Wike commended PDP leadership in Plateau, Cross River and Ondo State for the sterling performance of the party at Saturday’s bye election.

He attributed the victory of the PDP in the Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in Plateau State to the recent decision of the former Plateau Governor, Jonah Jang and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FTC), Senator Jeremiah Useni to set aside their differences and work for the interest of the party.

Wike also lauded the PDP for winning the Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-election in Cross River State, despite what he described as violence unleashed by the APC government in the state.

He further commended former Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko and other leaders of the party for the impressive performance of the party in Saturday’s bye election.

According to him, the prospects of the party in the 2023 general election remains bright.

Wike disclosed that his administration would soon award contract for the construction of two more flyovers in Port Harcourt.

The Governor explained that as part of his legacy to provide infrastructure that would improve the quality of life of the people and the economy of the state, he would award contracts for the construction flyovers at Rumuokwuta junction and Location junction along NTA-Mgbuoba by Ada George road.

The additional flyovers will be the 12th to be awarded by Wike’s administration since 2019 out of which six had been completed and currently in use.