A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Princewill Dike, has cautioned Atiku Abubakar, not to make the error of dismissing the demands of Nyesom Wike and his supporters.
Dike warned that if Atiku ignores what is allegedly the “correct thing to do” in the run-up to the 2023 elections, he will suffer an embarrassing defeat.
Dike accused Atiku and the PDP leadership of mishandling an internal situation that, in his opinion, should have been resolved before it worsened while speaking in Port Harcourt.
He called Wike a “force, a performer, and a brilliant mobilizer,” adding that he remained the PDP’s lynchpin and that any move to oust him would bring doewn the party’s resolve to reclaim power at the centre.
Dike claimed that the Rivers governor has the support of many of his colleagues, party leaders, and Nigerians in his battle for justice, inclusivity, and equity.
He said, “It was inconceivable that all key positions in the party such as the national chairmanship, presidential candidacy and chairmanship of the Board of Trustees are occupied by the north to the detriment of the south, which has sustained the party.
“The presidential candidate of the PDP will be playing with fire if he chooses to ignore the demands of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his camp.
“Those people hanging around him and mounting pressure on him to call the bluff of Governor Wike are leading him to the abyss.
“It will be foolhardy for Atiku and some enemies of the PDP to think that a governor, who mobilised resources, fought federal government and rebuilt the party most of them abandoned, no longer matters at this crucial time.
“Governor Nyesom Wike is a mobiliser, a performer and a strategist, who has the support of most of his colleagues and leaders of the party.
“He exerts nationwide influence and has the capacity to sway votes not only in Rivers but also in the entire South-South. How can you think of ignoring your best commander in a time of war?
“Let reason prevail and let Atiku and the party do the right thing by restructuring the PDP to give the South a sense of belonging and ensure unity ahead of the poll.
“The time to act is now because the delay we have witnessed has already become dangerous.”
