By Oguwuike Nnadi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State of secretly working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate Bola Tinubu ahead of the February 25 presidential election, as against his PDP’s Atiku Abubakar
The PDP campaign council, which made the allegation while reacting to Governors Wike’s withdrawal of the Adokiye Amasiemeka stadium campaign venue which he has earlier granted for the party for use said it has identified the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as Governor Nyesom Wike’s choice for the forthcoming election.
The PDP stated further that Wike has directed all the Local government Area chairmen in the state, his Special assistants and other PDP stakeholders loyal to him to campaign for the APC candidate
It would be recalled that the Rivers State government through the State Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, had in a letter with reference number MOS/C/409/S49/T/17 and addressed to the PDP Presidential campaign Direct General, Governor Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto conveyed he decision to withdraw the earlier approval given for the use of the venue
The government cited what it described as security concerns and alleged plans by the PDP to work in collaboration with a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the venue during the planned campaign rally
Reacting to the decision, the PDP campaign council in a letter dated February 1 said Wike had already directed all local government chairmen, his aides and party executive members to deliver Tinubu at the poll.
The letter which was addressed to Wike and signed by the Director, State Campaign Management Committee, Rivers State chapter, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, did not only deny the Rivers government allegations, but accused Governor Wike, who is the leader of the G5 Governors of trying to frustrate and stop the Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, from emerging the next President of Nigeria.
He added that Wike’s involvement in the activities of the G-5 was the height of anti-party and wondered why the Governor would in turn accuse them of working with a faction of the APC in the state.
The PDP letter in parts: “We completely sent your assertion as patently false and perverse and we believe that our highly respected security agencies cannot furnish you with such untrue and unfounded lies.
“The PDP Presidential Campaign Council has nothing whatsoever to do with the APC in Rivers State. It is appalling and highly preposterous for you or anyone to assume that the PDP and the APC could jointly hold an event in the same venue”.
Sekibo said the only reason for the cancellation was Wike’s notice of their massive mobilisation and acceptance of Atiku by the people of Rivers State.
He said: “However, we are rather aware by credible information reaching us that Your Excellency has directed all local government council chairmen, special advisers, commissioners, party executives are the state, local government and ward levels and all other appointees of yours to work for the Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu even though you have not had the courage to announce same to the people of the state.
“Your general public utterances, innuendos and conduct have pointed to the fact that you are bent on frustrating and if possible preventing the emergence of PDP Presidential Candidate as the next President of Nigeria.
“Your involvement in G-5 is the height of anti-party activity. It is, therefore, surprising that you are now accusing us of hobnobbing with APC faction in Rivers State”.
