PDP crisis deepens as Wike promises to offer Peter Obi logistical support during campaign

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has promised to provide logistical support to the former Anambra State governor and Labour Party's presidential candidate Peter Obi in the run-up to next year's elections.

In late June, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its flagbearer for next year's presidential election at its annual convention. Governor Nyesom Wike was a candidate in that election but he was beaten into second place and to make matters worse for him, he was not then picked as the party's running mate.

With Alhaji Abubakar opting to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, Governor Wike and his supporters, made up primarily of four other governors, have  been on the war path. Governors Wike, Seyi Makinde  (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) now make up what is now known as the G5 Group of Governors and have boycotted Atiku's campaign so far.

This G5 group has met with all the opposition parties like the All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party. Pledging his support to Governor Obi during the recent of the inauguration Nkpolu-Oroworokwo flyover in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said he would provide logistics support as Governor Obi has what it takes to become Nigeria’s president.

Governor Wike said: “Each time you want to campaign in the state, let me know. All the logistics support, we will give to you.”

Earlier this week, Governor Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, were in Rivers for the commissioning of the flyover. They met with Governor Wike, who hosted them in a manner he has not extended to his own PDP and its presidential candidate