2023 Elections: PDP Crisis Worsens as Wike Reveals Why Atiku's Rally In Rivers State Was Cancelled
- Governor Nyesom Wike has faulted the claim by the Rivers PDP presidential campaign team that it cancelled its rally over the fear of insecurity
- The Rivers state governor said the campaign team cancelled the rally because it has no capacity to fill up the stadium approved for the event
- Wike added that the campaign team opted to cancel the rally after he refused to approve a smaller venue for them
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!
Akuku-Toru LGA - Governor Nyesom Wike has alleged that campaigners of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, cancelled their rally in Rivers state because they lack the numbers to fill the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium he approved for the event.
The Rivers state governor said this at Nyemoni Secondary School field in Abonnema town, the venue of the PDP campaign for the Akuku-Toru local government area on Monday, February 13.
Source: Facebook
Wike described the claim by the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) that the campaign was put off because of fear of insecurity as false, The Nation reported.
He said despite granting the approval for the venue, Atiku campaigners created some scenarios and later ran away because of their lack of capacity.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
The governor explained that PDP presidential campaign team in Abuja had applied to him seeking approval of a venue to use for their rally in the state, which was approved.
Atiku's campaign team applied for smaller venue, says WIke
Wike said having realised that they lacked the capacity to mobilise the crowd to fill the stadium, the campaign team went to clear another piece of land in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout owned by the state government, which was not granted.
He said instead of returning to prepare the stadium that was approved, the team started making spurious allegations of threat to life as the reason why they were putting off their rally in Rivers state.
“I gave them the stadium, they know they have no capacity to fill the stadium, they are looking for excuses. They went and forced themselves to use government land at Trans Amadi. I said no, that was not where I gave you. Where I gave you was Adokiye Amiesimaka, go and fill that place.
“They now said no, we won’t go there again. We don’t want people to die. Who is killing who? Is anybody killing anybody? I said don’t pay money, I will buy the diesel for you. I will do everything for you. Mobilise, go, and fill that stadium. They ran away," Governor Wike said.
Nigerians react
Okwudiri Igwe commented on Facebook:
"Wike is tired and out of options, that's what happens when a man talks too much."
Lawal Abubakar Makama said:
"Best Decision ever by Atiku."
Ihie Henry Ojenya said:
"This Wike sef, now I know power corrupt and absolute power corrupt absolutely. You have few months to leave office, either Atiku win or not, let us see how far you will go with this your character."
Frank Ledee said:
"25th is not far, let's see who will come last in the State cause am sure people will not vote for his so called Tinubu. Our vote is for OBI and ATIKU."
Atiku's campaign team cancels Rivers rally
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Rivers state chapter of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PDP PCC) announced the cancellation of the rally of its candidate, Abubakar, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The presidential campaign slated for early this week would no longer hold, the PDP PCC Chairman in Rivers state, Senator Lee Maeba disclosed, citing insecurity as the major reason for the cancellation.
"The expected victory of Atiku Abubakar does not worth the blood of any Rivers man or woman," Senator Maeba said.
Source: Legit.ng
