Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on the Peoples Democratic party to apologise to Nigerians over an alleged divisive comment by the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Wike made the call at the Port Harcourt International Airport, after arriving from his short trip to Spain.
It will be recalled that Wike had jetted out to Spain with his counterparts; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue).
WITHIN NIGERIA had reported that Atiku said Northerners need to vote for him rather than a Yoruba or Igbo candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
Recall that Atiku was quoted as saying, “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.”
But, Wike who expressed doubts that such a statement came from Atiku, however, said such a stance coming at a period of transition for the nation gives vent to the call for equity, fairness and justice.
The governor said the PDP must as a matter of urgency 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.