From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has told Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to call to order members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the party and stop them from attacking the G5 governors.
Governor Wike warned that any further attack would attract the wrath of the Integrity Group and together with the G5, they will not hesitate to strike back.
The Rivers State governor gave the warning on Monday at the flag-off of the Indorama-Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebubu-East/West Link Road in Eleme Local Government Area of the State, which was performed by former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko performed the flag-off.
Governor Wike stated that the G5 governors are lovers of peace and they believe that all party members should embrace peace so that together, they can work to secure electoral victory for the party in the 2023 election.
He said: “Now, what I want to tell the presidential candidate of PDP is we need peace. We want all of us to be together for the party to win election. But let me say clearly, if your boys continue to attack the G-5 (governors) , continue to attack the leaders of our party, we will strike back. If anybody again dares in the PDP Presidential Campaign Council to insult the PDP governors G-5, insult our leaders of Integrity Group, we’ll fight back. Enough is enough.”
The governor also said it was ludicrous for persons who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and abandoned the PDP at its trying moment, to dictate to him and his associates of what to do in the party.
“We want peace. All we want is equity, fairness and justice. Nobody should take us for granted. I cannot understand people who just left APC two days ago, two weeks ago, are talking about PDP that we stayed and suffered to build the party. Even if anybody will talk about us not these miscreants.”
Governor Wike described Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, as a man who cannot stand by his word.
The governor remarked that soon, he would reveal content of discussion both Dogara and Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Federal Government had with him at his residence when they visited.
“At the appropriate time I will talk about how Dogara and Babachir visited me and what we agreed. You know what I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time I will challenge them for a debate.”
He recalled how Dogara had evaded an appointment they were to have and surreptitiously left the PDP to join the APC.
“Dogara was to see me. Unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC.”
Speaking further, Governor Wike reiterated that the Executive Order 21 is still in force in the State to protect pubic facility.
He remarked that people had gone to misrepresent the intent of the Order 21 before the Inspector General of Police that his administration was preventing other political parties from campaigning in the State.
Governor Wike told political parties wanting to hold their events within government facilities and schools, to apply and meet the terms.
He said those who are threatening to disobey the Executive Order of the government should be prepared to bear the consequences.
