Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has called out a former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
This comes after Dogara, a member of the All Progressives Congress threw his support behind the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Wike also warned Atiku to restrain his men (like Dogara) from insulting the group of five governors (G-5), known as the Integrity Group.
The G-5 governors – Wike, Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) – are locked in a protracted feud with the party leadership over the refusal of the National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to resign, contrary to his promise to quit if the presidential candidate was picked from the North.
They had insisted that Ayu’s resignation is a condition for supporting Atiku in next year’s election.
Yesterday, Makinde said the governors were yet to decide on which presidential candidate to support.
The G-6 governors were also absent at the PDP’s presidential rally in Lagos yesterday.
Wike said the G-5 would fight back if Atiku’s men continued to insult the Integrity Group.
He spoke at the kick-off of Indorama-Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebubu-East/West Link Road in Eleme Local Government Area.
The governor said: “We need peace in this state and we would continue to keep the peace but nobody can take us for a ride. Rivers State cannot be a slave to anybody.
“What I want to tell the presidential candidate of the PDP is we need peace.
“We want all of us to be together for the party to win the general elections, but let me say clearly: if your boys continue to fight the leaders of our party, we would fight back.
“If anybody in the PDP presidential campaign council continues to insult the governors of the integrity group, we would fight back. Enough is enough.
“We want peace and we want equity, fairness and justice. Nobody should take us for granted.
“I cannot understand people who just left APC recently and are talking about PDP that we stayed and suffered to build. Even if anybody should talk about us, it is not these miscreants.”
The governor lambasted Dogara for allegedly backing Atiku against his earlier stance on Southern Presidency in 2023.
Wike said soon, he would reveal details of his discussion with Dogara and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
He said: “At the appropriate time I will talk about how Dogara and Babachir visited me and what we agreed.
“What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I will challenge them for a debate.”
He recalled how Dogara had evaded an appointment they were to have and left the PDP to join the APC.
He said: “What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate. Ask Dogara, what made you leave PDP?
“Dogara was to see me; unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he had gone to APC. I say ‘Okay, no problem’.
“The same Dogara said the Presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace.
“Now, I hear about the same Dogara (is endorsing Atiku from the north for the presidency). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?”
Photo Credit: Getty
