2023: Gov. Wike Approves Atiku’s Request To Use Rivers Stadium For Campaign

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2023: Gov. Wike Approves Atiku's Request To Use Rivers Stadium For Campaign
2023: Gov. Wike Approves Atiku's Request To Use Rivers Stadium For Campaign

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of has approved Atiku’s request to use Rivers Stadium for the 2023 Presidential campaign.

Wike on Tuesday said the State government has re-issued the approval for the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in the State capital, for its presidential campaign rally.

This online news platform recalls the State government had on January 31, 2023, withdrawn the initial approval for the use of the facility granted on January 11 on the grounds that credible intelligence and certain development showed that the PDP Presidential Campaign Council was allegedly working in collaboration with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

Wike Approves Atiku’s Request To Use Rivers Stadium For Campaign

However, on Tuesday, during the state PDP campaign rally in the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Wike said the government has reapproved the use of the stadium for the PDP following pleas made by several persons.

Wike described a claim made by the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu that a member of the G-5 visited him as false.

The G-5, also known as Integrity Group comprises five governors in the PDP, including Wike, who called on Ayu to step down from office. Governors Wike, Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Samuel Ortom (Benue State) and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State fell out with their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar over the refusal of Ayu to step down for a southerner.

The governors argue that Ayu and Atiku both hail from northern Nigeria, and that it is only fair that Ayu resign after the latter emerged as the PDP presidential candidate, following his victory in the primary election of the party.

After losing to Atiku, Wike alleged that there was a gang-up against him and accused Ayu of being involved in the conspiracy to ensure he did not win.

According to the governors, the next Nigerian president should be from the southern region because the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari is also from the north.

Since the return of democracy in Nigeria on May 29, 1999, the choice of who becomes president has alternated between the northern and the southern regions.