Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) owes Nigerians an apology over recent comments by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which he (Wike) described as divisive.
He stated this at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa shortly after arriving from Spain.
Atiku was reported to have at an event at the weekend, said “I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what an average northerner needs, is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country. This is what the northerner needs.
“He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”
The Rivers governor who said though he found it difficult to believe such a comment came from Atiku, such comments at a period of transition for the nation gives vent to the call for equity, fairness and justice.
He said the PDP must, therefore, address the issue in order for Nigerians not to view the party which is preparing to take over power in 2023 as insensitive and devoid of justice which it preaches.
