By Peter Duru
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has urged the Peoples Democratic Party’s national leadership to visit and implore Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State regarding what he perceives to be an injustice done to him regarding the selection of the party’s vice presidential candidate.
In an interview with Arise TV yesterday morning, which was broadcast live from Makurdi, the Governor responded to PDP members’ claims that the Rivers Governor was ignoring calls from senior party members who were trying to weigh in on the situation.
“Why should they call Wike? Why don’t you go to him,” Governor Ortom remarked. You annoyed Wike, who is an important member of this party; (PDP). Why would you respond when you’re irritated? People fled from this party (PDP), but Wike remained on the scene. I was contacted by him to return to the PDP. In 2015, I was treated unfairly, and Wike came to this area and persuaded me to rejoin the PDP.
“I came to PDP and we have been working, and you treated him unfairly and believed he would remain silent. It is unjust. I believe in equity, fairness, and justice; treating others unfairly is wrong and unacceptable. It is insufficient to merely state that you called him. Making a call to him is an insult. The national party leadership should approach Wike and make a case to him.
“Wike is a cornerstone of this party, as everyone is aware.” Atiku should choose Wike since he finished second to Atiku. But to claim that you just called Wike is unfair. Okowa is my friend, so I have no issues with him, but Wike ought to have been contacted and spoken to so that we can collaborate effectively. The truth is that Wike should have been consulted in the first place, even before the announcement was made. Everyone must not be in a position to be there. We cannot all be there.
“Like I said, 14 people thought Wike should be the vice president; if that wasn’t going to work, he would have been told, Please, we can’t do this. We talk about how politics is a game of compromise.
However, it is wrong for everyone, and I could be proven wrong, but I hold them accountable rather than Wike. The ones in positions of authority should take responsibility. Tell me one PDP member right now who has helped this party get to where it is today. This would have given Wike the chance to learn firsthand information as well. It is improper of you to enter and simply dismiss him with a wave of your hand.
