The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that the camp of Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, lobbied him extensively before the general elections.
According to PUNCH Online, in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, Wike refused to back Obi’s presidential bid or that of Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate. Instead, the former Rivers State Governor chose to support the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during a luncheon on Saturday in honour of the 10th Rivers State Assembly in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Wike revealed that Obi’s team is critical of him because he refused to support their principal.
He explained that despite persistent lobbying from Obi’s camp, he stood firm in his decision not to endorse Obi’s presidential ambition.
Wike stated, “Let me tell you what is going on. I have no regrets whatsoever for supporting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. None at all.
“All these things you are witnessing… There is Atiku’s group, Peter Obi’s group, and a few PDP governors who believe I am a problem for them. I will continue to be a problem for them.
“Atiku’s group believes that my team and I blocked them from winning the presidency. What we opposed was injustice. All we demanded was equity and fairness.
Obi’s group lobbied me so much. They can’t deny it. I told them, ‘This will not work. Rivers State will not follow a path that doesn’t align with us… It will not succeed.’ There is a conspiracy, and they are fighting back. But in reality, they are fighting amongst themselves.”
Wike also mentioned that certain individuals within the PDP, eyeing the party’s presidential ticket for 2027, are also conspiring against him. He expressed confidence that his political adversaries would not succeed.
“There is another conspiracy within the PDP by those seeking the presidency. They believe, ‘If we don’t act now, we’ll have a problem.’ I can assure you, they will have a problem.
“There is another group within the APC — very prominent figures. Together, they will all fail,” Wike added.
In addition, Wike said that the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, was not his ally and never supported him. He clarified that his sole interest was ensuring Damagum completed the tenure of the former chairman, Iyorcha Ayu.
“They say Damagum should go. I’m not friends with Damagum; he never supported me.
“The truth must always be told. We agreed that Damagum would complete Ayu’s tenure. But let me tell you why you must be cautious when trusting people… those who sat with us and agreed… I saw something, and I thought, ‘This man, this man, I cannot trust you.’”
(PUNCH)