Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged the Peoples Democratic Pary, PDP, to apologise to Nigerians over an alleged divisive comment by the party’s Presidential standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, urging Northerners to disregard Yoruba and Igbo candidates in the 2023 election.
Wike stated this on Monday while speaking at the Port Harcourt International Airport, shortly after arriving from his short trip to Spain.
The governor, with his counterparts; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue), had jetted out to Spain sometime last week.
Recall that during an Interactive Session With Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna State, Atiku said Northerners need to vote for him rather than a Yoruba or Igbo candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku said, “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.
“He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”
Reacting to Atiku’s comment, Wike said the PDP must address the issue so that Nigerians do not view the party as insensitive and devoid of the justice it preaches.
