From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council has accused Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of setting booby trap for the party with his recent re-approval of the venue for the party’s presidential campaign rally.
The allegation was made by spokesman of the campaign council, Charles Aniagwu against the backdrop of the cancellation of the PDP presidential campaign rally in Rivers State and rejection of Wike’s re-approved stadium.
Aniagwu speaking on a live television programme, alleged Wike had laid mines for supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in Rivers State during the rally.
He also cited the spate of insecurity in Rivers State as reason for the cancellation of the Rivers State rally.
He said Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa believed that their ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian, a position that forced the party to cancel the Rivers campaign rally.
Aniagwu who is the Commissioner for Information in Delta State said: “Is it not preposterous that a Wike who claimed that APC had cancer and PDP malaria that was treatable has now turned around to support Tinubu and APC he once denigrated? That tells you the character of the man he is. Atiku has examined the whole scenario playing out in Rivers State, yes he may have enough policemen to secure him, his running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and indeed some leaders of the party in Rivers, but will it be possible to provide enough security for the massive supporters that would come to the stadium that was approved, cancelled and re-approved? So like Jonathan said in 2015 when he said that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, the presidential candidate of the PDP and his running mate believe that their ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian and that they would not want to sacrifice any Nigerian on the altar of wanting to be president.”
Aniagwu said the safety of persons attending the party’s rally was more important and that having seen the danger ahead, the party opted not to expose supporters and others to harm.
He said the PDP’s selling point remains the abysmal performance of the APC, assuring the PDP would sweep virtually all the strongholds of the APC in the country in the presidential poll.
“We will device means of talking to our brothers and sisters in Rivers because we believe that Rivers State is still largely PDP and that they will vote for Atiku-Okowa. One way or the other we will reach out to them and talk to them, but having to organise a rally where somebody will have to lose his life is not something we want to undertake…
“Atiku and Okowa are ready to carry everybody along when they win including Nyesom Wike irrespective of the attacks and so let no one think that Wike will be in trouble if Atiku wins…We believe that by the grace of God Atiku-Okowa will not only win Rivers, but will win majority of votes in this election and at the same time garner 25 per cent in 26 states and the FCT. From the day Atiku-Okowa is pronounced winners they will start the process of rebuilding this country,” Aniagwu said.