Governor Nyesom Wike

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has accused the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, of manipulating the presidential primary which saw Atiku Abubakar emerge as the party’s flagbearer for 2023.

During a chat with some selected journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, alleged that Ayu called several presidential aspirants to step down for Atiku Abubakar during the primaries.

“He was calling aspirants to withdraw for Atiku. I was there, Saraki and others were there.

“He manipulated the delegates. There was nothing Ayu did not do to ensure Wike didn’t emerge,” the governor declared.

Wike also accused former Senate President, David Mark, who served as the chairman of the convention committee, of being part of those that plotted his defeat.

He said, “You remember that during the convention, I spoke last, and when I spoke, the ovation was thunderous, and it became a danger to them. To tell you that I was disappointed by the former senate president, Senator Dr. David Mark.

“Very experienced, very seasoned. All these were setup to manipulate the system against me. He (Mark) was the chairman of the convention committee and what happened that day has never happened in the history of any election.

“When you are speaking, make sure you say whatever you have to say at that point. After we had all spoken, the whole chairman of the convention said that there was a special announcement.

“And he gave back the microphone to Tambuwal to speak again after everyone had spoken to say he wanted to withdraw and went ahead to tell his people to vote.

“At that point, if not for the love we have for the party, there would have been a serious crisis. But I allowed peace to reign. David Mark never thought to ask earlier that is there anybody who has anything to say?”