PDP Presidential Primary: Wike Narrates How South-South Governors Betrayed Him

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State, has blamed governors of the south-south geopolitical zone for his defeat at the People’s Democratic Party Party (PDP) presidential primary on Saturday.

Wike, who was considered a favourite to clinch the opposition party’s ticket eventually lost to Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice-president.

Atiku polled 371 votes to officially emerge the winner of the primary election, while Wike came second with 237 votes.

Bukola Saraki, former senate president had 70 votes to come third on the night, while Governor Udom came fourth with 38 votes. Bauchi governor, Mohammed came fifth with 20 votes and Anyim Pius Anyim, another former senate president came sixth with 14 votes. Taking the rear were Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, ace pharmacist and Diana Oliver Tariela who got one vote each. Dele Momodu, Ovation Magazine publisher had zero votes.

Although Wike’s loss was largely blamed on the decision of Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto State governor who stepped down for Atiku at the 11th hour, the Rivers governor insists that betrayal from fellow south-south governors caused his defeat.

Wike, while addressing party leaders in the state on Monday, said, “As far as I’m concerned, there is nothing to worry about. I contested that election based on the agreement with all the Southern Governors and the leaders of the South that the presidency should go to the South.

“We have done our own part. We never betrayed anybody because it is not in our blood to betray. But it is a shame to those people, some governors from the South who are the people they used to sabotage our victory. But however, we have shown them that we are not like them.”

“There are people you think are human being but are not. We have made history and for those betrayers, history will judge them. But as I have said earlier, I won’t abandon the party.

“They underrated us but that has changed. We made them not to sleep and eat.

“This country does not belong to any particular zone, it belongs everybody,” he said.

According to THE WITNESS while most of the south-east and a section of the south-west voted for the Rivers State governor, south-south states like Bayelsa, Edo and Delta reportedly opted for Atiku, while Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom took the state’s votes.