2023: Why Atiku must reach out, beg Wike-Ortom

..Gives Conditions for Supporting Ex-VP

..Says Kanu Is A Freedom Fighter, Should Be Released

The Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom said on Wednesday that opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have to reach out to his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Nyessom Wike for the party to be on a good footing before the all-important 2023 presidential election.

Ladi Thompson: Under no circumstances must Atiku become president

Ortom also gave conditions for him to be able to support the ambition of his party’s flagbearer and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking on Arise TV monitored by Pledge in Lagos this morning, the governor said Wike has done a lot for the PDP over the years and cannot just be discarded by the party’s leadership after the presidential primaries. He added that even though he has nothing against the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who was eventually picked by Atiku, he nonetheless felt that the PDP has not handled the post-presidential primaries fallouts well.

“Atiku should reach out to Wike. If 14 out of 17 people said he should be the running mate and he picked Okowa, then he should reach out to Wike. Wike stood up for the party and spent a lot on the party for it to be stable. The party leadership should not just call him; they should go and meet him.

“Wike brought me back to the party in 2019. You’re doing injustice to him and want him to keep quiet. It’s an insult to put a call to him. They should go to him. They should speak to him. He should have been consulted before the running mate was picked. 14 out of 17 members of the committee supported Wike.

“The party leadership should be blamed for what is happening. Wike should have been given the opportunity to know first-hand who will be the running mate”.

The Benue Governor also said he has not made up his mind on when to throw his weight behind the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku, saying that he has been in hibernation, praying for the country and his party. “If God says it is Atiku, so be it. I’m waiting for what Atiku will do before I come out with my support. I am not in Turkey with Governor Wike because I have been praying”, he said.

Dr Ortom also spoke about the state of the nation, which he described as getting worse by the day. He said the nation is on a drip and needed to be treated urgently, adding that the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) has messed up the country, while insisting that the PDP the people must rise up to fix it.

He spoke further: “Nigerians are suffering. Most of them cannot afford three square meals. Nnamdi Kanu should be released, he’s a freedom fighter. Why are you incarcerating him? Why are you not arresting these Fulani herdsmen? They went after Sunday Igboho in the Southwest, but why are they not arresting Fulani men? Nigerians should rise and save this country”.