Rivers Governor, Wike Disowns Lawsuit Challenging Atiku’s Candidacy As PDP Presidential Candidate Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State...
Rivers Governor, Wike Disowns Lawsuit Challenging Atiku’s Candidacy As PDP Presidential Candidate
Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has dissociated himself from a lawsuit filed to have Atiku Abubakar removed as the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
Wike said he also did not know the lawyers who filed the lawsuit, adding that he did not hire them, in an exclusive interview with THISDAY.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Wike and a chieftain of the PDP, Mr Newgent Ekamon, had dragged the PDP to court seeking the removal of Atiku as the candidate of the PDP in next year’s presidential poll.
According to the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, the plaintiffs were said to have hinged their claims on the grounds that the PDP primary conferred an undue advantage on Atiku which aided his emergence as the candidate of the PDP in the May 28 and 29 primaries.
Wike responded to the article by expressing surprise at the complaint, which was reportedly filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He also described the suit as the work of troublemakers who wanted to exploit him for easy political points.
He said, “I don’t know the lawyers. Am I a kid to be filing a suit at this time? I had 14 days within which to file any suit. I didn’t, then is it two months after I will file a suit?
“Just a few days ago, they came up with the claim that I ordered my chief security officer to pull down PDP’s flag in my office.
“This is all propaganda. Some people are trying to use me to win election.”
He has, however, threatened legal action against the publication of the lawsuit.
The PDP had declared Atiku the winner of the presidential primary election having scored 371 votes.
Wike was declared the first runner-up with 237 votes, while former Senate President Bukola Saraki garnered 70 votes.
Although Wike has expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the primary, he has however consistently maintained his membership of the PDP, adding that he would continue to remain loyal to the party.
Paul Ibe, Atiku's spokesperson, however, said his principal could not comment on the situation since he had not yet received service of process.
"We are not aware of the case and have not been served. When we are served, we will respond appropriately. However, the response will be done in the proper manner and not through the media,” Ibe said.
Debo Ologunagba, the PDP's national publicity secretary, added that he was unaware of the matter and was unable to comment.
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