By OBAH SYLVA
The entrance of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, into the presidential race has compounded the political woos for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Trumpet gathered that Wike will get his nomination and expression of interest form before Friday’s deadline. Wike, known for his bold, blunt and undiplomatic approach while making public declaration of his ambition to run for president in 2023, launched a vicious attack against top leaders of his party, who at some point defected from the PDP before eventually returning to the party.
Although Wike did not mention any name, he was apparently referring to the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who have all indicated their interest to contest next year’s presidential election.
Wike believes that equity and fairness must be practiced in the PDP. He noted that the south has supported the party for years, especially during the last 8 years of being in opposition.
He has constantly maintained PDP could have been dead without the southern states. The South-South PDP State Governor’s Forum had issued a communique to the party insisting on zoning the presidential ticket to the south.
They noted that it will be unfair for the north to hold on to power after President Muhammadu Buhari’s 8 years in power. The request of the governors has compounded the party’s quest to narrow the presidential ticket to the northern zone.
Before Wike’s declaration former senate president, Ayim Pius Ayim and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi are the only serious aspirants from the south who have indicated interest to run for the party presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, Ayim while supporting Wike’s stands to zoning the party ticket to the south threatened that PDP will lose the presidential elections if they fail to respect the zoning arrangement as enshrined in the party constitution.
He emphasised that 2023 is a defining moment for the party and the country, stressing that only equity, fairness and justice would guarantee the victory of the party. Wike said he wants to become Nigeria’s president because the country is in serious problems. He noted that he has all it takes to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) if given the PDP presidential ticket. He said: “I do know that I am a man who loves this country.
As a man who’s committed to the development of this country, I can no longer stand and see the country sliding the way it’s sliding and just sit back to look and say there is nothing that can be done. “I have governed River State, I saw problems, and I was able to solve such problems.
So I believe it will be unfair to just close my eyes and say it’s not my business to the problems of this country. That is why I am offering myself and if given the ticket I have all it takes to wrestle power from the ruling party.” He stressed that the issue of insecurity has put Nigeria in dire need of a rescue mission, adding that we can no longer talk of economic development with the high level of insecurity.
Wike has been a fearless fighter in the main opposition party. He has remained a strong voice against the APC and even certain policies of the PDP. It will be recalled that Wike was the main factor that brought former PDP chairman, Chief Uche Secondu to power.
He was also the major force that forced him out of office. Wike revealed that he spearheaded the removal of Secondus following his inability to address the crisis that threatened the party.
“I have never denied being involved in the removal of Secondus; he was not doing well so his ward first suspended him and I am glad they did that. “I am not the type of governor that deny their actions.
I know, I have a hand in his removal and I’m not afraid to say it. I did that because if we allow him to continue as PDP chairman, the party will die.”
Wike was also believed to be the major factor that pushed for the presidential ticket of the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambulwa in 2019, where he polled 693 votes to finish second behind Atiku who garnered a total of 1,532 votes.
It is rumoured that Wike is having the backing of some PDP governors in the south, middle belt and the north part of the country.
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“Though many may not like him for his blunt nature, Wike is fearless and has the capacity to give the PDP enough problems.
That is why his entrant into the presidential race needs to be handled with caution” a source hinted to The Trumpet.
Meanwhile, in what seems to be a consolidation of forces against wike and other southern presidential aspirants, presidential aspirants from the north were hosted by the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar in preparation for a possible consensus candidate from the north.
Those present at the meeting include; Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal and Sen.Bala Mohammed. Wike’s declaration coupled with his style of operation will remain a big headache for the PDP to manage as the May 28 presidential primaries draw near.
