Gov Ortom Urges Atiku to Iron out Issues with Wike
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has stated that he will be placated after Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar calms down Governor Nyesom Wike.
Despite the PDP selection committee’s advice, Atiku chose Delta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa over Wike, who finished second in the PDP presidential primary, as his running mate.
Ortom highlighted the need to “talk” and “iron out” concerns with Wike while fielding questions on a monitored interview on Arise Television’s “Morning Show.” He said that he and other displeased stakeholders would not abandon the PDP.
His words: “One thing I want to assure you is that we are not going to defect to any political party, and Governor Wike, in particular, has been very instrumental to the growth of our party. So Wike is the anchor man, we discussed this matter in our meeting in London, and we all agreed that we are not leaving the party. But let there be due process and the need for everybody to be carried along. Since the emergence of PDP in Nigeria, Wike has been there. Even some of us, because of the injustice done to me I, left for APC until APC started dancing in the wrong direction, and we returned to the PDP.
“Wike was instrumental in my coming back to the PDP. Our presidential candidate at a time left because he was not satisfied. Our National Chairman today went for another party, but Wike remained in PDP. So it is a big factor. I have always said that power belongs to God.
“Some of us believed in the Southern President, he contested because we thought he was the right candidate, but he did not get, and the issue of vice President came, I was one of the people that were able to convince Wike that half a loaf is better than none.
“You wanted to be President, but God did not make it happen. There is nothing wrong with asking to be the vice president. Unfortunately, this did not work, but I think the leadership of the party needed to do the needful to reach out to him immediately to pacify him because, in the end, you need everybody to be around you.
“Today, we have not concluded the election. It is just primaried, there is a candidate, and we are still going into the election, so we need everybody to be carried along, but the good thing about the PDP family is that we are still members of the PDP. We are working together, and we look forward that the party’s leadership would do the needful and bringing all of us together. Thank God our Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has reached out to me to persuade Governor Wike further that he’s coming to see him. They will sit down together and discuss. If that is done, that is the end of it.”
Ortom praised Senator Ademola Adeleke, the newly elected governor of Osun State, and explained why he had skipped the PDP’s massive rally last Thursday.
He said: “I was not around; I travelled for a planned programme over three months ago. So I had to go to the UK and the US. But I had to meet with Governor Wike in the UK. I also met with the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu. That provided an opportunity for us to brainstorm on what was happening back home in our party, the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party).
“I am happy that Osun people spoke. They did not just speak. They spoke for Nigerians. I can assure you what you saw in Osun is what is going to be translated in all elections as we move on in 2023 because Nigerians are fed-up with excuses on insecurity, economy, social life, and everything that would add value and make things work.”
