Former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, at the commissioning of the Obuama Community Secondary School in Rivers State on Friday, said that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is not at war with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the governor of Rivers state, Atiku Abubakar.
Fayose was of the view that the perceived friction was instigated by enemies who want to devastate the PDP. He reiterated that Atiku and Wike are in no way against each other.
According to Fayose, “For me, I want to believe His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, is not against you, but let me say this quickly: A lot of people surrounding the throne are enemies of the throne, and a lot of people surrounding the throne have an issue to grind with somebody or some issues with somebody and they take it to where they are not supposed to take it.”
The former Ekiti State governor declared that Governor Wike is the “soul of the party: and is one instrumental for the party’s growth
“There is no living being within this party and outside this party that will not acknowledge your contribution to this party. You are the soul of this party even till now, what you do, how many people do it.
“Let me say: your good works will never go unrewarded. I have found out some things. The people that have benefited from you are the people that have pulled people down; the people you brought up; the people you laboured for day and night.”
Fayose expressed optimism that the PDP friction will be resolved amicably, noting that the common objective is to push for victory in the 2023 elections.
“I believe the needful will be done because winning an election is all that matters. Wike has not come out to say that Atiku Abubakar is not the presidential candidate.
“I was there the second day after the election when our candidate, the former Vice President, visited the house, the residence of Governor Wike and we had mutual conversations; we were all happy. Everything was in place to move forward. I spoke at that meeting but we don’t want to aggravate this situation.
“I am only appealing to people that matter. In every political party, there would be groupings. The same family, and different interests but we can do better than we are doing. People around the corridor of power, please allow this candidate to win the election.
“We do not celebrate victory until it is ours. Even in my state, they said that Fayose is Tinubu’s man. Like I said, people were decamping – sitting governors – I did not. Some people believe that you have to destroy your leaders before they can rise,” Fayose highlighted.