The crisis engulfing the Peoples Democratic Party grew worse on Monday when Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, demanded that the party apologize to Nigerians for an allegedly divisive remark made by Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate.
Shortly after returning from a brief trip to Spain, Wike gave a speech at Omagwa in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Port Harcourt International Airport.
Along with his counterparts Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom, the governor of Rivers State flew to Spain (Benue).
Atiku was reported as saying, “I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country.
“I think what an average northerner needs, is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country. This is what the northerner needs.”
Wike, who questioned if Atiku made such a claim, nevertheless claimed that such a stance, coming at a time of transition for the country, gives voice to the need for equity, fairness, and justice.
The governor stated that the PDP must urgently solve the subject if Nigerians are to avoid seeing the party as callous and lacking in the justice that it preaches as it prepares to take power in 2023.
