By Comrade Igbini Odafe Emmanuel
Atiku Abubakar can’t be sincerely searching for a running mate except for Governor Nyesom Wike, who justifiably has the Right of First Refusal, and has declared that he is not interested in being a Vice Presidential candidate to him.
Would there have been PDP for Atiku to twice seek to be President of Nigeria but for the sacrifice and commitment of Wike in 2018 that saved PDP from total collapse and extinction?
Wike risked his Life and committed Resources to help PDP snatch power from the APC-led Edo State Govt. He singlehandedly made Gov. Godwin Obaseki become a second-term Governor.
Wike made it possible for some PDP Governors to secure their second terms.
Was Bola Tinubu not given the Right of First Refusal by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2014 as Running Mate?
Is Tinubu not the person who is reported to have nominated Prof. Yemi Osibanjo as Running Mate to Buhari?
Why then must the case be different for Governor Wike?
Tinubu was not only given the Right of First Refusal for Running Mate to then Gen. Buhari, he is reported to have been given the opportunities to nominate V.P, Minister Fashola and many other very senior and critical Political Appointments in PMB-led FG.
This is exactly what Atiku must concede to Gov. Wike – the man who saved PDP from death and burial but also kept it alive and stronger than ever to confront APC in 2022/23
Besides, it is no doubt that Wike is the most Outstanding Nigerian Governor today and so overwhelming loved and respected by the people of South-South and some geopolitical zones because of his rare courage to speak truth to power and defend the interest of Nigerians and the people of South-South who have continued to be exploited, deprived and marginalised despite being the Zones that is the Treasure Base of Nigeria.
Is it not a fact that Governor Wike became the only strong Opposition voice in Nigeria against some wrong policies and actions of APC in the past 7 years?
Throughout Nigeria, Wike is acknowledged and respected by Nigerians including some members of APC as the only firm Opposition Voice to some wrong Policies and Actions of the APC-led FG.
Wike made it possible for fmr Governor Amaechi to be Governor in 2007 and supported him to succeed in his second term election.
Wike is a very loyal, humble and committed person to his superiors. This he demonstrated as Chief of Staff to Governor Ameachi and Minister of State for Education to fmr President Goodluck Jonathan.
His aggressiveness when necessary is only to achieve set goals. He is a goal-getter and always committed to the same. He is not a pretender.
He is right now the only Governor in the South-South Zone who fearlessly stands for the deprived and exploited people of the Zone.
No other Governor of the South-South commands such high respect and followership among the people of this Zone as Governor Wike
Note: I’m not a member of PDP or supporter of Atiku but on TRUTH and JUSTICE I stand
Comrade Igbini Odafe, an engineer is a social critic and commentator
