PDP Crisis: Atiku Distraught As Wike Tightens Grip On Rivers State

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is reportedly finding it difficult to penetrate Rivers State as Governor Nyesom Wike continues to tighten his grip on the South-south State.

While his chances in the state are growing slimmer, Atiku is allegedly distraught by the fact that party leaders who pitched tent with him against Wike are not pulling their weight as expected.

Naija News reports that those backing the former vice-president include former governor Celestine Omehia, Austine Opara, Lee Maeba, and Farah Dagogo.

Wike, according to The Nation, had grown stronger by developing unique strategies to tighten his grip on the party and take all state structures beyond the reach of Atiku and his loyalists.

It was gathered that Atiku’s campaign is yet to kick-start properly in the state as people see the former vice president as a betrayer and liar.

According to the publication, Atiku’s pictures had disappeared from all campaign materials of the PDP in the state.

Youths in the state are reportedly tearing down campaign materials of Atiku and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

It was found that in the entire state it was unlikely to see any Atiku billboard, posters or other campaign materials unlike in 2019 when Wike supported the Adamawa-born politician.

Wike’s recent appointments of 200,000 advisers on polling units and over 300 local government liaison officers were said to have made Atiku and his men plan to penetrate the state difficult.

Also, all local government chairpersons, ward and unit heads of the PDP had remained loyal to the governor and were backing his political decisions ahead of 2023.

While campaigns for the governorship candidate of the PDP, Sim Fubara, National and House of Assembly candidates of the party were ongoing with their campaign materials dotting all corners of the state, nothing was being said about Atiku.