The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has allegedly resolved to support the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, ahead of the 2023 general election.
According to The Punch, which cited anonymous sources; Governor Wike chose Tinubu after withdrawing his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The sources said, Wike resolved to support Tinubu, believing his chances were brighter than that of the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi. They added that Wike would remain a member of the PDP but would mobilise support for Tinubu in Rivers.
Speaking on the development, a close associate of Governor Samuel Ortom said the possibility of Wike working with Tinubu should not be ruled out. The Punch quoted the unnamed Otom’s associate as saying: “Governor Wike is passionate about the presidency moving to the South in 2023. If you have ever been in a meeting where he made this argument, you will understand this. It is difficult to convince him that there is an alternative to a southern presidency.
“He supported the North in 2019 by openly backing the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal. He expected the favour to be returned to the South this time but that did not happen. “It is a shame that Ayu, who should have quietly resigned to assuage the fears of these leaders, is sitting tight. Maybe Wike has chosen to demonstrate to everyone that he means business. If Ayu is staying on and Atiku is not ready to do anything about it, I think Wike will support Tinubu. One thing is certain, he will not leave the PDP.”
Wike and his counterparts in Oyo, Benue, Abia and Enugu states named G5 Governors have made it clear they won’t back Atiku if the PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, does not vacate the seat for a southerner. While the PDP continually says reconciliation talks are ongoing, the crisis has remained unresolved even as the 2023 general election draws closer.