2023: Ignoring Wike will be disastrous– PDP Chieftain warns Atiku

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and spokesperson of Akwa Ibom Elders’ Forum, Senator Anietie Okon has said any attempt by the party or the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to ignore Governor Nyesom Wike will cost the party in 2023.

This follows several calls from different quarters to make peace with the Rivers governor over the outcome of the party’s presidential primary.

Speaking with newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the weekend, Senator Okon warned the party against ignoring Wike, which, according to him, would be a killer move.

He noted that Wike has been a strong party man and has invested so much in the party.

“The governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike has been a strong participant of the party. He has done so much for the PDP and has remained a faithful party man.

“So, thinking of ignoring him is like taking a killer decision, not after a committee set up by the party voted strongly for him. This is very important, every other consideration is immaterial.

“Therefore, I will advise Alh. Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate whom I have congratulated, to do everything possible to handle the situation amicably for the 2023 presidential election,” he added.

Meanwhile, there are indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is trying to woo Governor Wike to the party following the recent visit of some southwest APC governors to their Rivers counterpart.