2023: I can’t join APC, work for Tinubu or Atiku, Wike finally declares
A report by Daily Independent indicates that Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has made it clear that he will not join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or work for its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 general elections.
Telescope.ng reports that the newspaper said that a key associate of the governor, said on Thursday, August 11, said while Wike has insisted that he will not support Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he has also made it clear that he will have nothing to do with the APC over their choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Wike and his loyalists are currently up in arms against Atiku who announced Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate in June.
Although the committee saddled with the task of picking the party’s vice presidential candidate, consisting of representatives of former governors, incumbent governors, the NWC and the Board of Trustees members agreed to allow Wike, who came second in the presidential primaries to run with Atiku, the former vice president ignored the recommendation and announced Okowa as his running mate.
The development has caused a great wedge in the party as some governors loyal to Wike who are unhappy with Atiku’s decision, have continuously boycotted the party’s programmes.
Seeking to capitalise on this rift, the APC and its presidential candidate, Tinubu, have been making overtures to Wike to join the party and work for their victory.
Last month, some APC governors, led by the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), met with Wike at his Ada George residence in Port Harcourt.
Even though the outcome of the meeting was not disclosed to the media, sources said it was in a bid to convince Wike to join the APC.
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