PDP Owes Nigerians An Apology Over Atiku’s Comments, Says Wike

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) owes Nigerians an explanation and an apology following some rather controversial statements made by Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the party.

Atiku had on Sunday in Kaduna asserted that the north does not need Yoruba or Igbo candidates when it comes to the presidency, adding that the only candidate worthy of the exalted seat is him alone.

The video of Atiku’s comment, which surfaced hours later on social media, triggered a wave of backlash from Nigerians and political parties including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

APC’s spokesman Felix Morka described the comment credited to the PDP flagbearer as divisive, saying the country does not need such.

Also reacting to the development, former presidential candidate Kingsley Moghalu said he is “disappointed” over Atiku’s remark.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has reiterated that is the most qualified to lead the country, saying northerners need someone from the region as Nigeria’s leader in 2023.

Atiku, a former vice president, made the comment at an interactive session of the Arewa Townhall Policy Dialogue in Kaduna.

In his reaction to the comments which have generated heated arguments across the country, Governor Wike said while he doubts the possibility of Atiku making such a sensational statement at this critical time of the Nation’s history, such posture would justify his fight for equity, justice and fairness in the PDP.

According to him, the party must urgently address the issue and appeal to Nigerians lest the people stop rallying behind the PDP and begin to see the party as one where justice and equity do not abound.

Governor Wike also challenged the National Chairman of the Party, Iyorchia Ayu on his defense of the corruption allegations he leveled against him and condemned as ridiculous, the recommendations of the party’s Board of Trustees on the crisis in the PDP.

In the past few days, a couple of events have been threatening the peace within Peoples Democratic Party.

Most notable amongst the recent incidents were the defense of the National Chairman against the allegations of corruption by Govenor Wike, the recommendations of the Board of Trustees on the crisis over leadership positions and a the comment credited to the party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar about the North not needing the Yoruba or Igbo candidates.

Wike had earlier said the national leadership of the PDP needs to do the right thing, if the party must win the presidential election in 2023.

The right thing, Governor Wike insisted, is the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman, in order for a southerner to occupy the seat within the principle of equity, fairness and justice.

He however emphasized that any leader of a group who causes crisis within the group that he leads, truly lacks the requisite skills to navigate affairs of such group.