Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has accused some PDP governors who are allied with Atiku Abubakar and other party leaders of fanning what he termed as the mischief on Friday that led him to file a lawsuit to overturn the PDP presidential candidate's election.
Wike, who confirmed that he did not attend to court, claimed that Atiku's supporters were behind many conspiracies, including the Thursday claim that he had directed the removal of PDP flags from Government House in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike clarified this at the opening of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters on Friday in Port Harcourt, which was presided over by Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Nigeria's Representatives.
“People have called me throughout this morning and said all kinds of things that I went to court against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I want to say categorically, if I have a reason of going to court, I will go to court, but I didn’t go to court
“Yesterday too, they said I removed all PDP flags at Rivers State Government House. But I just have to say these things for Nigerians to know that I have kept quiet, and being busy delivering dividends of democracy for my party to win election in Rivers State.
“But I want to tell the candidate, it is the candidate’s group that are doing all these things. Let the world hear, they are the ones plotting all these things, thinking that they will spoil my name, you cannot.
According to Governor Wike, if he had desired to pursue legal action in relation to the results of the PDP presidential primary, he would have done so within two weeks of the primary, when such pre-election considerations are taken into consideration.
“I didn’t go to court, I have no reason to go to court. But those of you who are plotting and saying that I went to court instead, for you to have come out now to say Wike went to go court, I say shame on you. Shame will be on all of you.”
“I have told the candidate, you will win or lose this election because of people around you. Anybody who knows me know too well that if I was going to court, I would have gone to court within two weeks after the primary because it is a pre-election matter and after two weeks, you can’t go to court.
When the party's legal counsel called, I informed him that there was mischief afoot. But because he is so familiar with me, I wouldn't have chosen those lawyers if I were in court, and I don't even know the lawyers.
A greater challenge lies ahead, according to Governor Wike, and that is how to help the PDP win the general election in 2023. All genuine supporters of the PDP who desire electoral success should concentrate on this issue.
“Election is about the people and by the people. Let those in Abuja with you (Atiku), tell them to go home and campaign for you to win election. Leave Wike alone, enough is enough.”
Governor Wike recalled how the same individuals who suddenly claimed to love the PDP more in the South-South harmed the party's chances of victory in the region during the 2019 general elections.
He bemoaned the fact that instead of them—especially the governors—planning how to win the 2023 election, they were spending their time making charges against him.
What is happening in this world, I think to myself when I hear people talking about PDP nowadays. Everyone in the South-South turned on us. Without the spread, President Muhammadu Buhari would not have prevailed in the 2019 election.
“But all the States in the South-South made Buhari to have 25 percent. It was only Rivers State that did not give Buhari 25 percent, I am challenging anybody on it.”
Governor Wike claimed that the same individuals whose actions provided President Buhari the margin of victory in 2019 also sabotaged the PDP candidate's prospects of winning at the time.
The governor of Rivers State referred to his advice to Alhaji Atiku to closely consider the governors in his immediate area and comprehend why they worked against his win in 2019.
“Today, I see people talk about PDP. When we were supposed to have won election in PDP under Alhaji Atiku. Rivers State gave the highest votes, Rivers State gave the highest support in terms of logistics too. Let anybody come and contradict me.”
“I told Atiku the other day, I said to him, all these governors that you think they are working with you, what happened in 2019. Nobody wants to say the truth.
Everyone, go to your State and make a delivery—I've said it. Operation Deliver Your State is underway. Talking is not enough. Not to remain in Abuja. When asked to deliver Atiku in the presidential election, Wike stated, "I don't stay in Abuja; I don't sleep there.
In order to obtain the return from the Paris club, Governor Wike claimed it was essential for him to have invited Gbajabiamila, who as a friend had supported the Rivers State government. Governor Wike indicated that some of the funds were used to purchase the Rivers State Assembly quarters.
Inaugurating the project, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Reps. Femi Gbajabiamila noted that housing facility will definitely provide conducive residences for members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.