2023: I’ve Accepted Atiku As Presidential Candidate, But Ayu Must Resign, Wike Insists
RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has restated the call for the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to resign his position as panacea to moving the party forward ahead of next year’s general elections
Wike explained that he has accepted Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, but insisted that Ayu must resign, saying that was the only precursor for reconciliation in the party.
Speaking when he hosted the Cross River State candidates for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections, as well as local government party chairmen at his private residence in Rumueprikom, Wike, according to a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said: “We have finished presidential primaries, we have a presidential candidate. Is Wike saying remove presidential candidate? Is Wike saying remove vice and presidential candidate? So, what are you begging me for? All I am saying, and I will continue to say, is that you have taken president, give us (national) chairman.
“Nobody wants to speak the truth. If I am saying remove the presidential candidate, if I am saying remove the vice presidential candidate, then you will say why is he doing this.
“I’ve accepted the presidential candidate, I have accepted the vice presidential candidate, what’s the problem again. You, fulfill your part. Let the South have something; that is all I’m preaching. You cannot have a presidential candidate, national chairman, director general of the campaign.
“He (national chairman) said if the presidential candidate comes from the north, he will resign, which means he has had this in mind. Now, the thing has come to reality, resign, no. And people are saying go and talk to Wike.”
